The Importance Of Human Suffering - 1493 Words

Dorian Williams ENG 221 (001) Dr. Halpern The Importance of Human Suffering Over the course of this semester we have read several books and plays that have in one way or another tie into the overall theme of human suffering. The Letters of Abelard and Heloise, Prometheus Bound, Women of Troy, etc.†¦.all contain elements of intense suffering, despair, and struggle, which made each of them particularly hard for me to not only read, but digest. The Book of Job in fact, was at first the single most depressing piece of literature I’ve read so far in my academic career, simply because it seemed to be page upon page of suffering without any hope of relief. As I look back and reflect, I find myself asking why the concept of human suffering is so important, especially when regarding literature (because obviously we wouldn’t learn about it if it wasn’t), and why authors and playwrights throughout history have chosen to build their work around it. After further thought, I believe that in a unique way human suffering in literature is vital because it inspires hope, restores faith, reveals truths, and aids us in our daily wrestle with personal struggle. Whether or not we like it or care to admit it, two things remain true when talking about human suffering. First off, suffering exists, plain and simple. Many people try to absurdly pretend that it doesn’t, and that they’ll never experience struggle or pain because it only exists for those who allow themselves to believe it does.Show MoreRelatedAnimal Rights And Utilitarianism1063 Words   |  5 Pagesguidelines for having interests concern sentience; the ability to experience suffering. Comparing to the ideas of Mill, both are utilitarians and have a similar ideology around interests and moral consideration around the treatment of animals. Singer’s position on not eating meat is based on the utilitarian principle that ethical actions are the ones that create the most pleasure. Therefore, not eating meat would reduce suffering, and increase pleasure. In Singer’s essay, â€Å"All Animals are Equal† his firstRead MoreBuddhism(Informative Speech)958 Words   |  4 Pagesonce a prince. During a trip, he saw the young and the old, the illness and death. b. He realized that wealth and luxury did not guarantee happiness, so he explored the different teachings religions and philosophies of the day, to find the key to human happiness. c. After six years of study and deep meditation he was finally enlightened at the age of thirty five. 3. He died when he was eighty years old, after that, his excellent disciples continually spread the Buddhism. a. Now the followerRead MoreA Narrative Of The Captivity And Restoration Of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson1042 Words   |  5 Pagesunique and memorable insights into the pain and suffering that life can sometimes offer. Similarly, â€Å"Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl† offers many insights into the suffering that life can sometimes offer. Her account does not have the same subtle optimism found in â€Å"A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson†, however, it similarly shows how many can take their luxurious lifestyles for granted, by outlining the suffering or even discussing a woman who was happy her childRead MoreThe Arguement for Gods Existance in Hume’s essay, Why Does God Let People Suffer1630 Words   |  7 Pagesthe pain and suffering that goes on. Hume suggests that an all powerful God, such as the one most believe in, would not allow a world to exist with this much pain and suffering that goes on daily. Moreover, Hume basically argues that the existence of God is something that cannot be proven in the way in which scientists look for and gather proof about other scientific issues. 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If we accept that the two characters most lacking in self-knowledge are Lear and Gloucester, we can examine how the importance of this quality for them is shown in the play. Whilst these two characters lack self-knowledge, the world around them quickly deteriorates. As a result of their lack of insight, evil is given space to breed and take over, and Lear and Gloucester are forced to suffer as â€Å"love coolsRead MoreAll Animals Are Equal By Peter Singer1487 Words   |  6 PagesSinger formats his main arguments against factory farming and the mistreatment of animals in general. These arguments stem from the rejection of the pretenses which currently surround the equal treatment extended to humans, but not animals, and the proposal that the capacity for suffering is a pre-requisite for having rights at all. In an attempt to validate Singer’s argument for animal rights and against factory farming, I will first give a more in-depth explanation of said argument, then evaluateR ead MoreFamine, Affluence and Morality by Peter Singer1486 Words   |  6 Pagesarguments for affluent people to give what they have in excess, to the suffering people of the world. Before any criticism is made, here is the argument: - There are people suffering and dying from lack of food, shelter and medical care. - People suffering and dying from lack of food, shelter and medical care is bad. - If you have the power to prevent something bad from happening without sacrificing †¨anything of comparable moral importance you morally ought to do it. - Affluent people in the world haveRead Moreworld view chart writing assignment Eddie Lundy Essay1707 Words   |  7 Pagesis why ‘Karmayoga’ stresses on elimination of selfishness since selfishness gives rise to evil. So, evil in ‘Hinduism’ is a relative term mostly used to understand the importance of good. The view of good and evil in Jainism also is to a great extent similar to that in Hinduism. The concept of karma occupies a place of importance in Jainism also, however, slightly different. In a person’s life god gives rise to happiness and evil to pain and misery. ‘Punya’ is the consequence of good deeds and ‘Paap’Read MoreThe Ethics Of Embryonic Stem Cells1201 Words   |  5 Pagescells obtained from human embryos. The disagreement narrows down to a clash between the two fundamental principles of ethics: The duty to prevent and alleviate suffering, and the duty to respect the value of human life. In most situations, both principles can be satisfied. However, in the research of embryonic stem cells, it might not be inherently possible. Generally, the clash between the two principles is not created by a violation of the duty to prevent or alleviate suffering. In fact, it is the