Life, by its very nature, is full of needs and challenges that are inescapable. From the moment we are born, we are thrust into a world where survival requires constant effort. Hunger, thirst, pain, illness, and emotional suffering are inherent parts of existence. While moments of joy and pleasure do exist, they are often fleeting, and their intensity rarely matches the depth or duration of suffering.
The problem lies in the asymmetry between suffering and pleasure. Suffering can be intense, chronic, and devastating, sometimes leaving deep, lasting scars on a person's physical and mental well-being. One severe illness, the loss of a loved one, a traumatic event, or prolonged emotional pain can overshadow years of happiness. In contrast, pleasure tends to be short-lived, often requiring constant maintenance or chasing after goals that bring temporary relief rather than lasting satisfaction.
One key argument is that suffering is guaranteed in life, whereas happiness is not. We all experience physical pain, loss, aging, and death. Emotional suffering, like loneliness, anxiety, and depression, can strike without warning. Even in the best circumstances, no one is immune from the grief of losing loved ones or the fear of life's uncertainties. The fact that suffering is an unavoidable part of life makes it difficult to justify bringing new life into existence, where that being is bound to face these hardships.
For many, the constant struggle to meet basic needs—working long hours, battling illness, or enduring mental anguish—feels like a treadmill of survival. The satisfaction of needs is temporary, but the pain of not meeting them can be relentless. Once a need is met (such as eating when hungry or finding shelter), another arises. The cycle repeats endlessly until death, with no permanent resolution to the inherent vulnerabilities of human existence.
