--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This, then, is the human problem: there…" description: "\"“This, then, is the human problem: there is a price to be paid for every increase in consciousness. We cannot be more sensitive to pleasure without bei..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb9/alan-wilson-watts-4665_fear-of-the-unknown_this-then-is-the-human-problem-there-is_300917.jpg" --- # This, then, is the human problem: there is a price to be… ![“This, then, is the human problem: there is a price to be paid for every increase in consciousness. We cannot be more sensitive to pleasure without being more sensitive to pain. By remembering the past we can plan for the future. But the ability to plan for the future is offset by the "ability" to…” quote by Alan Wilson Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb9/alan-wilson-watts-4665_fear-of-the-unknown_this-then-is-the-human-problem-there-is_300917.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb9/alan-wilson-watts-4665_fear-of-the-unknown_this-then-is-the-human-problem-there-is_300917.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb9/alan-wilson-watts-4665_fear-of-the-unknown_this-then-is-the-human-problem-there-is_300917.jpg) > ““This, then, is the human problem: there is a price to be paid for every increase in consciousness. We cannot be more sensitive to pleasure without being more sensitive to pain. By remembering the past we can plan for the future. But the ability to plan for the future is offset by the "ability" to dread pain and to fear of the unknown. Furthermore, the growth of an acute sense of the past and future gives us a corresponding dim sense of the present. In other words, we seem to reach a point where the advantages of being conscious are outweighed by its disadvantages, where extreme sensitivity makes us unadaptable.”” [Alan Wilson Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-wilson-watts/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Higher consciousness brings greater sensitivity to both pleasure and pain, making present‑moment awareness harder and sometimes leading to paralysis by over‑analysis. **In simple terms:** Awareness heightens joy and suffering, often at the cost of living now. Key Takeaway Balance insight with present focus. Themes consciousness pain pleasure present over‑analysis Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - decision making - therapy - creative work - stress management Key Concepts philosophy psychology mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - How can you stay aware without becoming overwhelmed? - What practices help you anchor in the present? A Different Perspective Too much focus on past and future can cause anxiety and indecision. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness/) [Fear of the unknown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear-of-the-unknown/) [Past and future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past-and-future/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Remembering the past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remembering-the-past/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“When we stake a claim to the needs and wants of our life, we may easily fail to live up to the standards of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-pevernagie/when-we-stake-a-claim-to-the-needs-and-wants-of-our-life-we-may/) [Erik Pevernagie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-pevernagie/) > [It seems that what I really want is a drug that will increase my consciousness of others, not myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerzy-kosi-ski/it-seems-that-what-i-really-want-is-a-drug-that-will-increase-my/) [Jerzy Kosinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerzy-kosi-ski/) > [Jennifer had never liked the pain of remembering what had happened, but for Theo it was the pain that kept Laura alive in his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-atkinson/jennifer-had-never-liked-the-pain-of-remembering-what-had-happened/) [Kate Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-atkinson/) > [“The day that I left my home, I had prayed that my children would forget me. 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