Does you philosophy cause suffering?

Question

If you learned that what you believe about the world and how you think leads to states such as anger, depression, guilt, desperation, sadness, grief, etc., would you alter your philosophy?

Buddhism actually enhances suffering, but that's a whole other discussion.

Answer 1

Yes... You are in error Buddhism doesn't enhance suffering. This is no more than a deluded view and I'm anxious to require your foundation for this premise

Answer 2

Give me a single philosophy that has never been bent to cause sorrow and hardship. Plato himself sired 12 pupils that went on to become notorious tyrants. And Platonism is the foundation of most major Western philosophical movements, from existentialism, to the Christian religion.

Another flaw is assuming Philosophy is like a camp that you have to adhere to, like denominations of the church. Philosophy should be a personal thing, always shifting and changing, the only absolute being logic. The only persons who feel the need to "toe the line" of a certain philosophy are people who refuse to think for themselves.

Oh and by the way, Buddhism teaches one not to deflect or deny suffering. In "The Antichrist", Nietzsche makes the distinction between a Christian and a Buddhist. A Christian says "I suffer because..." (the devil, God, etc), while the Buddist simply says "I suffer". Buddhism stresses not to make excuses, but to accept that suffering comes from within a person, so in order to end suffering, one must master himself.

Answer 3

For my students it does, they have a final coming up this Thursday. My personal philosophy isn't so filled with grief, but hope, that is why I am not an existentialist in the tradition of Sartre and Camus.

Answer 4

No! I wouldn't call it my philosophy, I would call it my belief, that caused me suffering, for a simple reason that I was craving for my mothers affection and love, I have suffered all my life, but its nobodies fault, its me, I did it to myself, a mother who cannot accept you, and love you all her life, what made me think, that today at her last stage of life, she will love me? just because she is a death bed? just because she is so devastated? just because she is so crippled and helpless?
Well! I was wrong, it was a wrong judgment, on my part, you can call it naive, OR you can call it stupid or dumb, either way that was a wrong choice on my part.
After all I am human and we all make mistake, and this was my biggest mistake of my life and regrets, for which I am paying and suffering.
Let me ask you, just because I was born a third girl in a row, was that my fault? did I choose to be born?
Why am I being punished?

Answer 5

It depends what you mean by "belief".

The first step is to find out what is true, and what you just believe because other people have told you. This should not be difficult. It is what we do when we finally realise that the tooth fairy and Santa Claus are made up.

Many adults find it difficult to give up beliefs, however, especially if they are widespread amongst their culture.

When you appreciate what is true, then you can decide how to lead your life.

Answer 6

Why ask why. Does suffering cause philosophy. Then philosophy causes philosophy.

The Will is positive, the Judgment is negative.

Answer 7

The Buddha created a philosophy to end ALL SUFFERING. You should go read it and then if you still have questions ask us.

Answer 8

What I think about changes little , life itself causes suffering, what I do about that suffering changes everything.

Answer 9

You're about 4000 years behind the Buddhists on this one.

Answer 10

people alter their philosophy every day...it's called situational ethics......like Dr. Ruth said,"If it feels good, do it".....or in this case, believe it

it's only a very few who hold on to what they believe, however inconvenient it may become