- May 24th, 2025, 11:13 pm
#474555
This topic is about the May 2025 Philosophy Book of the Month, The Contentment Dilemma: Examining Life’s Mysteries and Purposes by Marcus Hurst
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From a Christian framework, suffering often refers to a trial of faith, a way of being spiritually shaped or formed, or just another unavoidable waypoint to the divine. But what if you are not a Christian?
Friedrich Nietzsche once said, "he who has a why to live can bear almost any how," and suffering can be endured in the knowledge that it is finite or purposeful in some way—whether by ourselves or a higher cosmic order. Conversely, Buddhism accepts suffering (or dukkha) as an unavoidable condition of being human, and not loyal faith—acceptance of suffering can only occur when we finally see our own cravings and attachments and are able to release them.
So, does suffering require faith to be meaningful?
From a Christian framework, suffering often refers to a trial of faith, a way of being spiritually shaped or formed, or just another unavoidable waypoint to the divine. But what if you are not a Christian?
Friedrich Nietzsche once said, "he who has a why to live can bear almost any how," and suffering can be endured in the knowledge that it is finite or purposeful in some way—whether by ourselves or a higher cosmic order. Conversely, Buddhism accepts suffering (or dukkha) as an unavoidable condition of being human, and not loyal faith—acceptance of suffering can only occur when we finally see our own cravings and attachments and are able to release them.
So, does suffering require faith to be meaningful?
“There is only one thing a philosopher can be relied upon to do, and that is to contradict other philosophers”
– William James
– William James
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