The Meaning of Suffering

Publication Type

Journal Article

Year of Publication

1998

Author

Hooft, Stan Van

Journal

Hastings Center Report

Volume

28

Number

5

Pages

13-19

Language

English

Keywords

affliction (malheur)
compassion
Lévinas, Emmanuel
Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm
Stoicism
suffering

Annotation

This article focuses on the attempts to find meaning in suffering in the western philosophical and theological traditions. Briefly drawing on the thought of Simone Weil, Emmanuel Levinas and Friedrich Nietzsche, the author argues suffering is not to be justified, only borne. He concludes with a brief discussion of the relationship of this position to the issue of compassion for others who are suffering.