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Summary of "What Suffering Does"

David Brooks analyzes how suffering can lead to positive character development by causing people to reflect on their limitations and become more humble. He explains that suffering motivates people to be creative in solving problems and often results in people strengthening bonds with their families and communities after experiencing hardship. Ultimately, Brooks argues that suffering can leave behind an unexpected "gift" by shaping people's character in beneficial ways.

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Rania Kanj
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1K views1 page

Summary of "What Suffering Does"

David Brooks analyzes how suffering can lead to positive character development by causing people to reflect on their limitations and become more humble. He explains that suffering motivates people to be creative in solving problems and often results in people strengthening bonds with their families and communities after experiencing hardship. Ultimately, Brooks argues that suffering can leave behind an unexpected "gift" by shaping people's character in beneficial ways.

Uploaded by

Rania Kanj
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Summary Of “What Suffering Does”

David Brooks in “What Suffering Does”, analysis the process of how the experience of suffering leads
to re-designation of people’s characters. He explains that people usually aim and hope for happy
moments in the future but, they actually get formed through suffering. To him, unlike what happiness
does (makes people think about their benefits), suffering takes people through a completely different
path of humility; a path where they get the chance to reflect more about themselves and realize their
limitations.

David further explains that in times of sufferings, people though not necessarily the cause of the
problems, cannot sit back and act helpless about them, and so they tend to become creative and as such
might come up with impactful contributions to societies afterwards. He says people do not usually come
out of suffering the same, they come out with a sense of nobility, that tends to make them create
stronger bonds and affection with families and loved ones. Conclusively, David infers that suffering
usually comes with a special gift that it leaves behind in its “prey”.

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