Knowledge Tree
suffering
Also known as: dukkha
Facts (15)
Sources
Self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence (S-ART) frontiersin.org 7 facts
claimA contemporary model of suffering incorporates Buddhist characteristics of suffering, positing that habitual information processing biases reify a dysfunctional self-schema.
procedureThe path of mindfulness to reduce suffering emphasizes four tightly coupled qualities: a balanced intensity of effort and diligence (Pali: ātāpi), wisdom of clear discernment or phenomenal clarity (Pali: sampajaňa), mindful awareness, and freedom from desire and discontent (Pali: vineyya loke abhijjhā-domanassạm).
referenceThe Satipatthāna Sutta, an influential Buddhist text, describes mindfulness as a direct path to the cessation of suffering and as a fundamental mental quality developed through specific meditation practices.
referenceIn the Buddhist context, suffering (Pali: dukkha) is attributed to a lack of awareness regarding two fundamental characteristics of experience: habitual craving or attachment to objects, and the impermanence of all phenomena, including the concept of self.
claimThe characteristics of suffering in the Buddhist context are thought to be based on an inflated sense of self-importance or self-loathing.
claimThe historical Buddhist model of mindfulness and the contemporary western medical model of mindfulness share the goals of reducing suffering, enhancing positive emotions, and improving quality of life.
claimThe historical framework for mindfulness, which serves as a path toward reduced suffering and realization, is composed of four qualities and four applications of mindfulness.
Complexity and the Evolution of Consciousness | Biological Theory link.springer.com Sep 14, 2022 3 facts
claimMarian Dawkins suggested that the origin of consciousness may lie in the emotional experience of suffering, specifically interpreting suffering as physical ill-health rather than a mental experience.
quoteDaniel Dennett stated: "The complexity of an autonomous, self-protecting, self-advancing (but mortal, vulnerable) bit of machinery gives us an explanation of why it is equipped to suffer, and why its suffering matters to it."
referenceWalter Veit and Heather Browning authored 'Phenomenology applied to animal health and suffering' in the 2021 book 'Phenomenology of bioethics: technoethics and lived-experience', edited by S. Ferrarello and published by Springer Nature Switzerland.
Panpsychism: Conscious Rocks and Socks - Free Thinking Ministries freethinkingministries.com Nov 24, 2023 2 facts
formulaThe author presents a deductive argument for why an omni-benevolent God allows suffering: 1. If God is omni-benevolent, he desires genuine loving intimacy with humans. 2. If God desires genuine loving intimacy with humans, he must create them with libertarian freedom. 2.1. Genuine loving intimacy requires libertarian freedom. 3. If God creates humans with libertarian freedom, he must allow suffering because suffering results from the choices of free humans. 3.2. God knew that without permitting evil, some would not freely choose to preserve a suffering-free state in the new heavens and new earth. 4. God is omni-benevolent. 5. Therefore, God allows humans to experience suffering.
perspectiveDr. Tim Stratton asserts that pain, evil, and suffering are consistent with Christian theism and actually support the God hypothesis rather than serving as evidence against it.
Good Old-Fashioned Artificial Consciousness and the Intermediate ... frontiersin.org Apr 17, 2018 1 fact
claimThe concept of a person is fundamentally linked to the concept of consciousness, where an entity capable of subjective experience and suffering should be treated as a person.
AI Sessions #9: The Case Against AI Consciousness (with Anil Seth) conspicuouscognition.com Feb 17, 2026 1 fact
perspectiveAnil Seth argues that building conscious artificial intelligence would be a negative development because it would introduce new forms of potential suffering that humans might not recognize.
(PDF) Cross-Cultural Approaches to Consciousness - Academia.edu academia.edu 1 fact
referenceThe Theory of Causation (paticcasamuppada) in Buddhism, also known as the formula of Dependent Origination, applies causal relativity to suffering and repeated existence in the cycle of births and deaths, with consciousness serving as one of the twelve links.