Living with Adversity | David Benatar

Living with Adversity | David Benatar

From Brain in a Vat by Brain in a Vat

May 6, 2026 · 55 min

About this episode

David Benatar discusses the nature of adversity and how we can respond to the suffering of others.

What does it mean to live with adversity? How ought we respond to the suffering of others? How can we adapt to hardship? Adversity is a universal experience. Nearly everyone, at some point, faces physical, psychological, or social challenges, and yet suffering often goes unnoticed. David Benatar joins us to discuss these questions on the human condition, provoked by his book 'Living with Adversity,' a collection of personal accounts of suffering. Read Benatar's book here: https://wipfandstock.com/9798385266708/living-with-adversity/ Chapters: [00:18] Introduction to David Benatar [05:32] The Value of Witnessing Hardship [09:56] Empathy and Emotional Distance [18:37] Legitimate and Illegitimate Suffering [23:54] The Absence of Redemption Narratives [25:39] The Limits of Empathy [41:10] Forms of Adversity

People in this episode

Guest: David Benatar

Topics covered

  • adversity
  • suffering
  • empathy
  • human condition
  • hardship

Keywords

  • adversity
  • suffering
  • empathy
  • hardship
  • human condition

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Living with Adversity

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