I’m inclined to disagree. While I am far from a weapons grade philosopher it seems to me that if we can rationally assign suffering any negative value then the suffering of a sentient being is a worse thing.
Say a gold fish is imprisoned in a fish bowl allowed to starve to death. Say a human being endures the same thing. The gold fish will die in a poor fashion (are there good ones?) and will suffer greatly. The human, by virtue of intellect, can suffer in ways that the gold fish cannot. The human can rail against the injustice of their situation. The human may lament the mistake that led to their imprisonment. They can suffer in numerous unique ways because they can think. Their suffering is greater because it is deeper. The human will understand much more of what is happening to them.
To further expand with: Burying a loved one sucks. The gut level emotional suffering is great. The act of knowing that they are dead and gone makes it so much worse. Comprehending what death is makes it all the more horrible, does it not?
If we allow that suffering is not bad and should not be ameliorated…. I don’t know how to even begin processing that world.
AMMENDED: I fail. Lesson: Read the article and don’t just jump in. If you think somone couldn’t possibly mean what they said make sure you understand the rules of engagement. slaps self
I’m inclined to disagree. While I am far from a weapons grade philosopher it seems to me that if we can rationally assign suffering any negative value then the suffering of a sentient being is a worse thing.
Say a gold fish is imprisoned in a fish bowl allowed to starve to death. Say a human being endures the same thing. The gold fish will die in a poor fashion (are there good ones?) and will suffer greatly. The human, by virtue of intellect, can suffer in ways that the gold fish cannot. The human can rail against the injustice of their situation. The human may lament the mistake that led to their imprisonment. They can suffer in numerous unique ways because they can think. Their suffering is greater because it is deeper. The human will understand much more of what is happening to them.
To further expand with: Burying a loved one sucks. The gut level emotional suffering is great. The act of knowing that they are dead and gone makes it so much worse. Comprehending what death is makes it all the more horrible, does it not?
If we allow that suffering is not bad and should not be ameliorated…. I don’t know how to even begin processing that world.
AMMENDED: I fail. Lesson: Read the article and don’t just jump in. If you think somone couldn’t possibly mean what they said make sure you understand the rules of engagement. slaps self