--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Perhaps the greatest strike against…" description: "\"“Perhaps the greatest strike against philosophical pessimism is that its only theme is human suffering. This is the last item on the list of our specie..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/036/thomas-ligotti-2073_human-suffering_perhaps-the-greatest-strike-against-phil_1739444.png" --- # Perhaps the greatest strike against philosophical… ![“Perhaps the greatest strike against philosophical pessimism is that its only theme is human suffering. This is the last item on the list of our species’ obsessions and detracts from everything that matters to us, such as the Good, the Beautiful, and a Sparking Clean Toilet Bowl. For the pessimist…” quote by Thomas Ligotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/036/thomas-ligotti-2073_human-suffering_perhaps-the-greatest-strike-against-phil_1739444.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/036/thomas-ligotti-2073_human-suffering_perhaps-the-greatest-strike-against-phil_1739444.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/036/thomas-ligotti-2073_human-suffering_perhaps-the-greatest-strike-against-phil_1739444.png) > ““Perhaps the greatest strike against philosophical pessimism is that its only theme is human suffering. This is the last item on the list of our species’ obsessions and detracts from everything that matters to us, such as the Good, the Beautiful, and a Sparking Clean Toilet Bowl. For the pessimist, everything considered in isolation from human suffering or any cognition that does not have as its motive the origins, nature, and elimination of human suffering is at base recreational, whether it takes the form of conceptual probing or physical action in the world—for example, delving into game theory or traveling in outer space, respectively. And by “human suffering,” the pessimist is not thinking of particular sufferings and their relief, but of suffering itself. Remedies may be discovered for certain diseases and sociopolitical barbarities may be amended. But those are only stopgaps. Human suffering will remain insoluble as long as human beings exist. The one truly effective solution for suffering is that spoken of in Zapffe’s “Last Messiah.” It may not be a welcome solution for a stopgap world, but it would forever put an end to suffering, should we ever care to do so. The pessimist’s credo, or one of them, is that nonexistence never hurt anyone and existence hurts everyone. Although our selves may be illusory creations of consciousness, our pain is nonetheless real.”” [Thomas Ligotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ligotti/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Philosophical pessimism focuses on suffering; true resolution may require ending existence, a radical and unsettling proposal. **In simple terms:** Pessimism sees suffering as central; some suggest nonexistence as solution. Key Takeaway Question whether existence is worth its suffering. Themes existentialism philosophy of suffering radical solutions human condition Mood somber provocative Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - medical ethics - space exploration - theoretical research - artistic expression Key Concepts ethical nihilism ontological debate psychology of despair Questions to Reflect On - Is ending existence a viable ethical choice? - Can humanity reduce suffering without ceasing to exist? A Different Perspective Suggesting nonexistence ignores potential for alleviating suffering through progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Human suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-suffering/) [Outer space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/outer-space/) [Pessimism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pessimism/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) ## Related quotes > [“Such speculation however, was of no interest to my father, who strongly objected to the possibility of spooks or spirits of any kind or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-ligotti/such-speculation-however-was-of-no-interest-to-my-father-who-strongly/) [Thomas Ligotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ligotti/) > [“The attic is not haunting your head – your head is haunting the attic. Some heads are more haunted than others, whether they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-ligotti/the-attic-is-not-haunting-your-head-your-head-is-haunting-the-attic/) [Thomas Ligotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ligotti/) > [With the passing of Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, who had just entered his 100th year, the world has lost one of the greatest judges…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prashant-bhushan/with-the-passing-of-justice-v-r-krishna-iyer-who-had-just-entered-his/) [Prashant Bhushan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prashant-bhushan/) > [After the dead are buried, after the physical pain of grief has become a permanent wound in the soul, then comes the transcendent and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-dubus/after-the-dead-are-buried-after-the-physical-pain-of-grief-has-become/) [Andre Dubus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-dubus/) > [In our fibre-optic world of tweets and tablets, we are more conscious of the world around us. 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Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [We have to ask ourselves whether medicine is to remain a humanitarian and respected profession or a new but depersonalized science in the service…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-kubler-ross/we-have-to-ask-ourselves-whether-medicine-is-to-remain-a-humanitarian/) [Elisabeth Kubler-Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-kubler-ross/) > [It seems to be that when these communist regimes take over - if you look at the example of Vietnam or Cambodia or Nicaragua…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-negroponte/it-seems-to-be-that-when-these-communist-regimes-take-over-if-you/) [John Negroponte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-negroponte/) > [Possession of material riches, without inner peace, is like dying of thirst while bathing in a lake. If material poverty is to be avoided,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/possession-of-material-riches-without-inner-peace-is-like-dying-of/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [“Vast populations in parasitic hot zones are without hospitals, doctors, drugs, or surgical equipment. Meanwhile, often directed at the very same underserved regions, wealthy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-mcauliffe/vast-populations-in-parasitic-hot-zones-are-without-hospitals-doctors/) [Kathleen McAuliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-mcauliffe/) > [And Christ, through His own salvific suffering, is very much present in every human suffering, and can act from within that suffering by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/and-christ-through-his-own-salvific-suffering-is-very-much-present-in/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [“The Buddha taught that all human suffering is rooted in desire. Don't we all know this to be true? Any of us who have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/the-buddha-taught-that-all-human-suffering-is-rooted-in-desire-don-t/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [The universe appears to me like an immense, inexorable torture-garden…Passions, greed, hatred, and lies; social institutions, justice, love, glory, heroism, and religion: these are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octave-mirbeau/the-universe-appears-to-me-like-an-immense-inexorable-torture-garden/) [Octave Mirbeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octave-mirbeau/) > [“Seeing human suffering changes you. It either makes you compassionate or it makes you hard.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-wilson-howarth/seeing-human-suffering-changes-you-it-either-makes-you-compassionate/) [Jane Wilson-Howarth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-wilson-howarth/) > [“The scientific method is famous for requiring objectivity and emotional detachment on the part of the investigator. Scientific experimentation also involves extensive manipulation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-heath/the-scientific-method-is-famous-for-requiring-objectivity-and/) [Joseph Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-heath/) ## More by Thomas Ligotti > [“Subsequently there ensues an epoch of complex, proliferating intrigues and conspiracies among the ranks of double agents, whose agendas become so densely intertwined that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-ligotti/subsequently-there-ensues-an-epoch-of-complex-proliferating-intrigues/) [Thomas Ligotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ligotti/) > [“The point that in the absence of birth nobody exists who can be deprived of happiness is terribly conspicuous. 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Posters, signs, billboards, and leaflets of various sorts are scattered around like playing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-ligotti/the-dismembered-limbs-of-dolls-and-puppets-are-strewn-about/) [Thomas Ligotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ligotti/) > [“As I drifted along with my bodiless invisibility, I felt myself more and more becoming an empty, floating shape, seeing without being seen and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-ligotti/as-i-drifted-along-with-my-bodiless-invisibility-i-felt-myself-more/) [Thomas Ligotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ligotti/) > [“The lessons in measurement of cloacal forces. Time as a flow of sewage. The excrement of space, scatology of creation. The voiding of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-ligotti/the-lessons-in-measurement-of-cloacal-forces-time-as-a-flow-of-sewage/) [Thomas Ligotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ligotti/) > [And the worst possible thing we could know — worse than knowing of our descent from a mass of microorganisms — is that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-ligotti/and-the-worst-possible-thing-we-could-know-worse-than-knowing-of-our/) [Thomas Ligotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ligotti/) > [“Only catatonics and coma patients can persevere in a dignified withdrawal from life’s rattle and hum. Without a “yes” in our hearts, nothing would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-ligotti/only-catatonics-and-coma-patients-can-persevere-in-a-dignified/) [Thomas Ligotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ligotti/) [Explore all 187 Thomas Ligotti quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ligotti/) ## More Human suffering quotes > [“The scientific method is famous for requiring objectivity and emotional detachment on the part of the investigator. Scientific experimentation also involves extensive manipulation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-heath/the-scientific-method-is-famous-for-requiring-objectivity-and/) [Joseph Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-heath/) > [“Seeing human suffering changes you. It either makes you compassionate or it makes you hard.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-wilson-howarth/seeing-human-suffering-changes-you-it-either-makes-you-compassionate/) [Jane Wilson-Howarth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-wilson-howarth/) > [The universe appears to me like an immense, inexorable torture-garden…Passions, greed, hatred, and lies; social institutions, justice, love, glory, heroism, and religion: these are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octave-mirbeau/the-universe-appears-to-me-like-an-immense-inexorable-torture-garden/) [Octave Mirbeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octave-mirbeau/) > [“The Buddha taught that all human suffering is rooted in desire. Don't we all know this to be true? 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Meanwhile, often directed at the very same underserved regions, wealthy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-mcauliffe/vast-populations-in-parasitic-hot-zones-are-without-hospitals-doctors/) [Kathleen McAuliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-mcauliffe/) > [Possession of material riches, without inner peace, is like dying of thirst while bathing in a lake. If material poverty is to be avoided,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/possession-of-material-riches-without-inner-peace-is-like-dying-of/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [It seems to be that when these communist regimes take over - if you look at the example of Vietnam or Cambodia or Nicaragua…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-negroponte/it-seems-to-be-that-when-these-communist-regimes-take-over-if-you/) [John Negroponte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-negroponte/) > [We have to ask ourselves whether medicine is to remain a humanitarian and respected profession or a new but depersonalized science in the service…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-kubler-ross/we-have-to-ask-ourselves-whether-medicine-is-to-remain-a-humanitarian/) [Elisabeth Kubler-Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-kubler-ross/) > [The problem of reconciling human suffering with the existence of a God who loves, is only insoluble so long as we attach a trivial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/the-problem-of-reconciling-human-suffering-with-the-existence-of-a/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [In our fibre-optic world of tweets and tablets, we are more conscious of the world around us. The technicolour violence and humanitarian abuses of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-maurer/in-our-fibre-optic-world-of-tweets-and-tablets-we-are-more-conscious/) [Peter Maurer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-maurer/) > [After the dead are buried, after the physical pain of grief has become a permanent wound in the soul, then comes the transcendent and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-dubus/after-the-dead-are-buried-after-the-physical-pain-of-grief-has-become/) [Andre Dubus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-dubus/) > [With the passing of Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, who had just entered his 100th year, the world has lost one of the greatest judges…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prashant-bhushan/with-the-passing-of-justice-v-r-krishna-iyer-who-had-just-entered-his/) [Prashant Bhushan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prashant-bhushan/) > [The hell of human suffering, evil and oppression is paved with good intentions. 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This is the last item on the list of our species’ obsessions and detracts from everything that matters to us, such as the Good, the Beautiful, and a Sparking Clean Toilet Bowl. For the pessimist, everything considered in isolation from human suffering or any cognition that does not have as its motive the origins, nature, and elimination of human suffering is at base recreational, whether it takes the form of conceptual probing or physical action in the world—for example, delving into game theory or traveling in outer space, respectively. And by “human suffering,” the pessimist is not thinking of particular sufferings and their relief, but of suffering itself. Remedies may be discovered for certain diseases and sociopolitical barbarities may be amended. But those are only stopgaps. Human suffering will remain insoluble as long as human beings exist. The one truly effective solution for suffering is that spoken of in Zapffe’s “Last Messiah.” It may not be a welcome solution for a stopgap world, but it would forever put an end to suffering, should we ever care to do so. The pessimist’s credo, or one of them, is that nonexistence never hurt anyone and existence hurts everyone. 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