Suffering, affective states and pain

Abstract

In this text I develop the idea that suffering is not the same as pain, it is not an emotion and neither a mood, but it is part of affectivity. It is constituted by effective states such as emotions, moods and pain. But these states are not necessary in order to there be suffering. These states are sometimes constitutive of suffering, but when there is suffering at least one affective state of this type is constitutive of suffering. In addition, I point out that suffering is sometimes a disposition and I clarify in what sense it is so. The causes of suffering can be diverse, but I focus on two that I think are important for understanding suffering, these are illness and loss. In the end I argue that one can suffer without pain and have pain without suffering, and that only pain is rarely constitutive of suffering.