Scheler's theory of Suffering: what it is and what it says about pain

Scheler's theory of suffering proposes a reflection on how human beings respond to experiences of pain. Normally, we run from it, we try to hide it, but what if we do the opposite? Does it make sense to find a purpose for our suffering?

Surely influenced by the Christian vision of pain and penance, and coinciding with the ideas of Viktor frankl, a philosopher much later than him, Max Scheler proposes the idea that, if we manage to find meaning in suffering, it can even offer us something positive.

Scheler was a German philosopher, therefore Western, with a vision of suffering that clashes with the idea most installed in our modern West that suffering requires avoidance strategies, regardless of what your trigger is.

But there are things that no matter how much we try to avoid them, they will not do us less harm, something in which Scheler's theory of suffering can help us. Let's see how.

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What is Scheler's Theory of Suffering?

There is no doubt that pain, be it physical or emotional, is something we do not want to experience. Naturally. Our survival animal nature tells us that if something hurts us, it is preferable to avoid it.

However, our human nature, which can dissociate itself from our biological instincts and think long-term, has endowed us with the ability to reflect on suffering, asking ourselves if it serves to something.

There are things that pose a threat to our body and that cause us pain, such as the peck of a mosquito or the heat of a flame, two things that make all the sense in the world that we avoid them actively. But nevertheless, What about all those good things that, to achieve them, we have to go through something that will make us suffer?

A simple example: get in shape. If you want to show off a toned body this summer, you are going to have to sacrifice daily for the months to come, doing some exercise every day. While this does not have to be extremely painful, it is certainly not as comfortable as lying on the couch or going out with friends for a drink.

It is quite a mundane and simple case, but it serves as an example to observe that, if we did not make sense of that suffering and avoid it, we would not achieve something of greater value. Suffering can to push forward despite the pain, to progress. This is the idea defended by Scheler's theory of suffering.

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What is the Theory of the Sense of Suffering?

The theory of the meaning of suffering by Max Scheler (1874-1928) raises the idea that when you experience some type of pain, be it physical or mental, it must serve something, which makes some sense. The theory proposes that when something hurts us, it has to be for some reason and that, if found, it will help us to lead us towards a higher goal. In the framework of ethics, each person has to find that reason for their own suffering in order to give it significance and become something useful.

This German philosopher, a student of ethics and human values, pointed out that Faced with suffering, it is advisable to take on two challenges: the first is to discover what its deep meaning is, and the second is to collect oneself, keep silence, contemplate, reflect and meditate.

If these steps are followed, mastery of the spirit will be achieved, which, in Scheler's view, is what makes a person calm, free, vigorous, and ready for action.

Scheler considered it to be the ability to reflect on one's own pain one of the main features that differentiate humans from other animals. Animals act according to purely biological goals, instincts that focus on the here and now, while human behavior takes on a sense of perfection. People, in Scheler's opinion, also act according to spirituality.

The theory of the sense of suffering of this author coincides in many respects with the Christian vision of pain. Christianity sees pain not as something one must get rid of, but rather as a path that leads to redemption and is achieved through sacrifice. Devout Christians believe that, even in the worst of times, suffering is a positive thing, the same idea championed by Scheler.

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The positive view of suffering and the spiritual level

In Scheler's theory of suffering, this unpleasant sensation acquires different interpretations, depending on how far we go in the analysis of this condition. The German philosopher argues that there are three possible levels, each corresponding to three conditions of being:

• Biological: the organism
• Psychological: the Self
• Spiritual: the person

In his approach, A meaning to suffering can only be found when the human being is located in the dimension of his person, that is, at the level of the spiritual. As for the psychological and organic plane, suffering does not have a real meaning, since it implies a passive suffering.

Only by being in the spiritual dimension is it possible to initiate an action with respect to that suffering, assigning it some existential sense and channeling the pain associated with that annoyance as energy oriented to achieve a specific goal.

Max Scheler considered that the suffering of a person amounts to sacrifice and that, in this sense, this could even be positive. When we speak of "sacrifice" we refer to an action carried out deliberately despite the fact that it will bring pain, but that it is done for superior value, a long-term gain that will bring more benefits than doing nothing for pain. The idea is to give up something that is appreciated, which implies suffering, but that will allow us to achieve something else of greater value.

In other words, the idea of ​​Scheler's theory of the meaning of suffering, the person does not suffer pain, but directs it according to a goal. It gives him a meaning so that the annoyance becomes something motivating and useful for his life.

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Conclusions on this theory

Having come this far, a question that follows from this whole theory is why suffer? According to the main postulates of Scheler's theory of suffering, it could be said that suffering only has a reason if it is approached from the idea of ​​spiritual development. This theory launches the argument, consoling for those who are going through this sensation, that one suffers to obtain something more.

So that, suffering would also be a free and responsible act, something related to the approach of Viktor Frankl (1905-1997). In his line of thought, what causes pain is not decisive, but rather the pain itself is a motivator so that an individual assumes an existential attitude or posture, gives meaning to his suffering and does something with his life from they. And, as we have commented, this would only make sense in the spiritual framework, since from a biological or psychological point of view, and following Scheler's idea, this would have no reason to be.

The final conclusion of Scheler's theory of suffering is that each person can find meaning in pain, as long as they interpret it from a spiritual perspective. It is at that level that it is possible to sustain and overcome pain, since serves to direct towards a merit. Sacrifice brings us to a greater end. One could even say that, according to Scheler, suffering is not an empty annoyance if meaning is attached to it, but rather a step towards greater fulfillment, happiness and fulfillment.