2006-12-30 05:21:24 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
For every action, there's an equal an opposite reaction in both physics and culture. Suffering can be prevented, but only if cooperation without compromise is possible in a situation. Otherwise, we can only be compassionate and try to minimize the suffering by being selfless and considerate of our fellow man.
2006-12-30 05:24:50 · answer #1 · answered by Mikey C 5 · 8⤊ 0⤋
1. Just thought that I'd point out that everyone so far has answered this question with reference to social evil (undeserved suffering caused by human beings).
2. But there also exists natural evil (undeserved suffering caused by nature: famines, pestilence, disease, tsunamis, illnesses etc.).
3. Whether suffering per se is necessary is a different question as to whether it is inevitable. The notion of necessity appeals, implicitly, to some sort of cosmic scheme, as if the world operates in terms of a grand plan. In my view, this appeal to a (predominantly religious) metaphysics is outdated and rationally groundless.
2006-12-30 19:24:16 · answer #2 · answered by Christopher L 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
“A friend is someone who, upon seeing another friend in immense pain, would rather be the one experiencing the pain than to have to watch their friend suffer.”
“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dream.”
“An idea is never given to you without you being given the power to make it reality. You must, nevertheless, suffer for it.”
“Reconciliation is to understand both sides; to go to one side and describe the suffering being endured by the other side, and then go to the other side and describe the suffering being endured by the first side.”
“Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.”
“A man has more character in his face at forty than at twenty--he has suffered longer.”
“Seeing much, suffering much, and studying much are the three pillars of learning.”
“The reward of suffering is experience.”
“A wise man, recognizing that the world is but an illusion, does not act as if it is real, so he escapes the suffering.”
“The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live.”
“If you take no risks, you will suffer no defeats. But if you take no risks, you win no victories.”
“Everything that happens once can never happen again. But everything that happens twice will surely happen a third time.”
2006-12-30 14:05:56 · answer #3 · answered by ••Mott•• 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
To Mott:
Re: > "Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dream.”
yeah, go on and preach this crap to people dying of starvation in Africa...
>“An idea is never given to you without you being given the power to make it reality. You must, nevertheless, suffer for it.”
I am, therefore, willing to sacrifice my own life if that could wipe out the scum like mugabe, bush, b-liar etc. out of the surface of this planet
And to answer the main question
1. get rid of the above mentioned individuals and their supporters/followers
2. support those less-fortunate than you are: financially (via charity organisations) and by volunteer work
3. sometimes it's as simple as helping a stranger you stumble across on the streets or being there for somebody (friend, colleague etc) who needs your help- it might be a good word or a small gesture that can make a huge difference
all the best
2006-12-30 21:44:51 · answer #4 · answered by harmony 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you believe that everything happens for a reason, then the necessity of suffering is undeniable. Revolting as it sounds. On a higher level, suffering brings the sufferer closer to the one who suffered the ultimate pains for the salvation of mankind; in different cultures, it is said to keep the balance with pleasure and happiness. On a lower level and more commonly acceptable, pain allows you to know the difference between pleasure, happiness and suffering.
I don't believe that suffering is avoidable; it needs accepting.
2006-12-30 17:48:58 · answer #5 · answered by Nini 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is necessary; in Buddism they say "Life is suffering". We can and must still continue and nessesitate peace, but with the knowledge that it will always be futile. That's the burden and beauty of being human.
2006-12-31 07:45:48 · answer #6 · answered by duckee 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
From a religious standpoint, the suffering of human beings in this world is brought on by the belief that we (humans) can live our lives without God.
So basically, we are just fumbling around trying to make things better for ourselves and are actually just making things worse and worse.
We can 'help' to stop it by trusting totally on God's wisdom, following Him and obeying His laws.
2006-12-30 14:22:40 · answer #7 · answered by Ambassador Z 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is too big a job for any individual, but you can do your bit. eg
1) Determine never to cause suffering yourself.
2) Buy fair trade goods
3) Support Amnesty International.
It will not do all that needs doing BUT
It is better to light one candle than curse the darkness
2006-12-30 16:12:34 · answer #8 · answered by alan h 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Life IS suffering.
2007-01-02 05:27:58 · answer #9 · answered by los 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Offensive suffering will stop when every person on this earth realizes that each is required to share their love, food, and space with others.
2006-12-30 13:41:18 · answer #10 · answered by mykl 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋