“Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional.”

The motivation of this post is to address the persistent conflation between suffering and pain I have observed from members of the EA community, even amongst those who purport to be “suffering-focused” in their ethical motivations. In order to best address the problem of suffering, it is necessary to be clear about the difference between suffering and mere pain or ordinary displeasure.

The parable of the second arrow

In the Buddhist parable of the second arrow, the Buddha illustrates the distinction between suffering and pain with the tale of a man struck by two arrows. The first arrow represents the pain that life inevitably brings. The second arrow, however, represents the suffering that arises from his reaction to the pain. The Buddha teaches that while the first arrow (pain) is unavoidable, the second arrow (suffering) is optional, and that [...]

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Outline:

(00:32) The parable of the second arrow

(01:07) Defining pain and suffering

(03:44) The relationship between pain and suffering

(05:05) Examples of the conflation of suffering and pain

(08:04) The importance of this distinction

(09:31) Conclusion

The original text contained 9 footnotes which were omitted from this narration.

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First published:

Source:

Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.