Suffering and Human Developmen

Question: Why is suffering essential to human development? Thesis: Suffering is essential because it provides us with ways to grow and better ourselves, to become more fully human. Development: Suffering, in itself, is absolutely essential to humans. It provides the means by which we continually grow and transform ourselves. Whether we like it or not, we must endure some kinds of suffering in order to progress in our lives. Whether it be failing a test, …

…think that ultimately intelligence is the tool with which we can overcome all the conflicts and differences.”1 Intelligence, which on one hand can cause immense suffering, is also the single most important gift we have as human beings. This idea can be summed up in the common phrase “No pain, no gain.”2. Commonly used in sports, the essence of this phrase suggests that without enduring some suffering, we will have nothing to show for ourselves.