Suffering or Bliss?
Do you enjoy paradoxes? If so, you’re in for a treat. If not, get ready, because this one will definitely hook you for life. So, let’s dive in!
The Situations
Situation: 1
Consider a universe which has an infinite number of people. These people are immortal and there is absolutely no way they can die.
The people in this universe live the best life possible. They have everything they need; food, water, and every luxury imaginable. They are also not bothered by any problems like poverty, drought, etc. In other words, they are in paradise.
However, there’s a catch.
Every day, a single person in this universe is chosen and sent to another universe, this time, of suffering. The person then, has to remain in the universe, suffering for eternity. There is no escape.
So, in this universe, there are always more number of people who are happy (infinitely many), than sad.
However, every single person knows that sooner or later, their chance of being sent to eternal suffering will arrive.
Situation: 2
In contrast to the first scenario, this universe is filled with infinite immortal people who live in constant suffering with no pleasures at all.
Here, though, we have one person chosen every day to be sent into the universe of paradise.
In this universe, there will always be far more people who are suffering than those who are happy.
In contrast, in this universe, every person would know that after a finite period of time, their chance to be sent to paradise will also come.
The Question
Now, the billion dollar question…
Which Universe would you prefer to live in?
Take a moment to reflect on this before you continue reading.
Let me know what you think in the comments…
An Interesting Fact
Now, here’s something that might change your perspectives on both the situations-
In the first scenario, while there are infinitely many happy people, their bliss is temporary. The moment they’re sent to the universe of suffering, it’s forever.
On the other hand, in the second scenario, those in suffering know it’s only a matter of time before they are sent to paradise — and that paradise will be eternal.
Does that shift how you feel about either scenario?
A Friend’s POV
When I presented this paradox to a friend, he chose the first universe. His reasoning? With infinitely many people, the odds of being selected for eternal suffering are incredibly low.
But that leads to another question: Can we really enjoy our happiness knowing that eternal suffering may be just around the corner?
This paradox has a deep connection to our daily lives. During times of hardship, we all are fueled by the hope that better times lie ahead, while, when we are actually happy, we are not able to enjoy it fully because we dread the onset of suffering.
The paradox lies in which perspective you choose to embrace. Is it better to live in fleeting bliss, knowing suffering will follow, or to endure hardship in the belief that joy awaits?
The answer might change from person to person depending on how they view happiness, suffering, and the unknowns of existence.
Hope you liked this one!
Cheers,
Aarav Iyer
Note:
I would like to give a special thanks to Vsauce for introducing me to this paradox through a Youtube Short
