Arthur Brooks, a Harvard professor and author, suggests that happiness requires some level of unhappiness. He draws on the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus’ idea that the key to happiness is not seeking constant pleasure but eliminating sources of discomfort.
Brooks warns against overprotecting ourselves and our children from any form of suffering or conflict, as this can have harmful long-term effects. Instead, he argues that some level of suffering is a natural part of life that teaches resilience and helps us appreciate the good moments we experience.
According to Carl Jung, contrast in our lives is necessary for us to truly appreciate joy. Brooks also notes that Mother Nature doesn’t care about our happiness; her goal is for us to survive, pass on our genes, get calories, find mates, and stay safe.
Epicurus believed in eliminating sources of suffering to improve happiness. This idea has been prevalent throughout history, with people focusing on avoiding suffering, even protecting children from conflict and students from objectionable ideas. However, Brooks argues that this approach doesn’t eliminate negative emotions; it denies us experiences that help us grow.
Source: https://bigthink.com/the-well/epicurus-was-wrong-suffering-is-necessary/