When we examine the nature of desire, we discover that it is intrinsically linked to suffering. This tumultuous relationship manifests itself in the simple act of desiring what we do not have. When an individual experiences lack, suffering emerges as an inevitable reaction. In the absence of food, hunger arises, generating a palpable form of suffering.
Arthur Schopenhauer, a 19th-century philosopher, developed this idea by pointing out that suffering arises from unfulfilled desire. Whether the desire is for material possessions, affection or social status, lack creates a state of persistent suffering.
And yet, paradoxically, the satisfaction of desire does not guarantee the happiness we hope for. On the contrary, it can give rise to a new psychological state: boredom. When the emptiness of fulfilled desire sets in, it creates a monotony that erodes contentment. Boredom, as the absence of happiness at the very heart of its realisation, offers an intriguing perspective on the human condition.
The realisation of desire does not bring the expected pleasure. Once it has been achieved, we are bored. Schopenhauer invites us to consider boredom as an unexpected consequence of the satisfaction of desires. In this way, the perpetual quest for happiness is put to the test, revealing a constant duality between the lack of fulfilment and the weariness of achievement.
This oscillation between suffering and boredom is echoed in various aspects of daily life. In the professional world, the unemployed endure the suffering of joblessness, while the employed may be confronted with the daily boredom of a monotonous routine. Similarly, love relationships are affected by this duality, with the suffering inherent in heartbreak on the one hand, and the boredom that can set in with the stability of a couple's relationship on the other.
However, it's important to note that there are exceptions. Certain professions and relationships escape this precarious oscillation. Exciting professions can reduce boredom to a minimum, offering an escape from monotony. Similarly, couples who cultivate variety and can escape the dull stagnation that often characterises long-term relationships.
To sum up, for Schopenhauer, suffering is inherent in desire. The satisfaction it engenders is not enough to put an end to this suffering because, firstly, satisfying one desire means frustrating several others. Secondly, we suffer for a long time and enjoy for a short time. Satisfaction is immediately followed by a rebirth of desire and therefore of suffering. So there is no escape from suffering. In the end, the only possible escape is to suppress desire itself.
Schopenhauer's philosophy urges us to reflect on the cyclical nature of human life, between desire and boredom, suffering and dissatisfaction. The eternal quest for happiness seems to be hampered by this constant duality. However, through understanding this dynamic, the possibility emerges of transcending these oscillating states, whether by finding stimulating passions or cultivating dynamic relationships. In this way, Schopenhauerian philosophy offers a fascinating window through which to explore the complexities of the human psyche and the relentless quest for meaning and satisfaction.
"Life swings like a pendulum backward and forward between pain and boredom." Schopenhauer