An Examination of the Problem of Suffering in the Theory of Spirituality and Rationality

The main aim of the theory of spirituality-rationality connection is the “reduction of human sufferings and pains”. The theorist replaces religion by spirituality because he believes that today it is only spirituality that can bring peace and reduce human sufferings, and thus, it should replace the traditional religion. However, there are problems faced by the theory of rationality and spirituality on its way to achieve such a goal. In this theory, the nature of “suffering” is not clearly delineated and seems to be incomplete. The theorist requires 5 stages for the reduction of human sufferings, but his theory cannot adequately go through these 5 stages, and it does not cover all types of human sufferings. There are serious problems regarding the meaning and justification of the sufferings in question: it remains unspecified how, and in what way, the theory can realize the goal. And more importantly, the non-realistic foundation of the theory fails to make it possible for human sufferings to be reduced.