Post by phludowin on Sept 15, 2017 14:06:31 GMT
In my opinion suffering does not have an inherent purpose; but the fact that it exists helps one appreciate times without suffering. So from a utilitarian standpoint, suffering makes people appreciate pleasure.
But this only works if times without suffering are coming. If you die, you don't suffer anymore; but you don't experience pleasure either.
On the other hand, if you are terminally ill and do not have access to good palliative care, you won't experience much pleasure either.
The Catholic Church places value on life; possibly calling it a "gift from God". What I don't know is if suffering has purpose in Catholic ethics. I left the church 30 years ago.
Anyway: If Catholics want to influence the laws of a country, they'd better have good arguments.
But this only works if times without suffering are coming. If you die, you don't suffer anymore; but you don't experience pleasure either.
On the other hand, if you are terminally ill and do not have access to good palliative care, you won't experience much pleasure either.
The Catholic Church places value on life; possibly calling it a "gift from God". What I don't know is if suffering has purpose in Catholic ethics. I left the church 30 years ago.
Anyway: If Catholics want to influence the laws of a country, they'd better have good arguments.