Danix2400 t1_itdeiwz wrote on October 22, 2022 at 8:05 PM

Reply to comment by MyNameIsNonYaBizniz in The real practical value of philosophy comes not through focusing on the ‘ideal’ life, but through helping us deal with life’s inevitable suffering: MIT professor Kieran Setiya on how philosophy can help us navigate loneliness, grief, failure, injustice, & the absurd. by philosophybreak

I've been having these questions about suffering and whether an absolutely horrible life should be lived lately these months. I believe that in some extreme cases where a good future is impossible, suicide is logical.

Suffering is something that is part of existence. Everyone will suffer. Now, suffering in an intense way for a long time without a perception of salvation is something that no one should go through, but some do. I don't believe that we should all cease to exist because of this minority. As it is inevitable that these people who suffer intensely will exist, I believe that the best solution is to seek the best option for them, that being trying to find some salvation that guarantees a better life or a peaceful death.

Perfection will never exist. Me, you, society, life and existence will always have problems, but the most logical decision I believe is that we should always live trying to be good, to learn and solve these problems. Two things that I believe help the existence, and perhaps even the growth, of suffering is the ignorance and selfishness that many people have. That's why I hate phrases like "ignorance is bliss" or "only seek happiness in your life because you only live once".

MyNameIsNonYaBizniz t1_itfgcoe wrote on October 23, 2022 at 6:40 AM

But according to negative utilitarianism, if we just blow up earth, then nobody will ever suffer again, thus ending the problem of suffering.

The only counter against this is majority rule, as in the ok-ish lives of the majority overrule the suffering of the minority, which is something that society have been doing since forever. Though I find this argument not so convincing.

Danix2400 t1_itg1euh wrote on October 23, 2022 at 11:24 AM

It would really end the suffering, but I rule it out because it's almost impossible to happen. Like I rule out the idea of everyone stopping having children, it's something that will never happen.

The only solution I see is for the majority to seek to help the minority.

MyNameIsNonYaBizniz t1_ithvutb wrote on October 23, 2022 at 7:38 PM

Impossible as in you have seen the future and know everything there is to know about future tech and science of world ending?

Or impossible as in your personal opinion based on limited knowledge?

Danix2400 t1_iti1xc8 wrote on October 23, 2022 at 8:16 PM

I said that it is ALMOST impossible.

"Blow up the earth", whoever has the power to do this will most likely not do it to destroy the entire human race and end suffering, in fact they will want to generate more suffering. Those who have this power are the powerful and they don't want it.

If you're talking about everyone stopping having kids, it's also almost impossible. People will continue to have children for a variety of reasons. The only way for everyone to stop is to force them not to.