Editorial: A new science of suffering, the wisdom of the soul, and the new behavioral economics of happiness: towards a general theory of well-being

Wong, Paul T. P.; Ho, Lok Sang; Mayer, Claude-Hélène; Yang, Fan; Cowden, Richard G.

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1280613

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 10 publications

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“…Often when human suffering is addressed, it is done so in the context of dying (Cacciatore et al, 2015;Kellehear, 2009;Vitillo, 2015). Additionally, and to a degree relatedly, human suffering is addressed also theologically (Boyle, 2003;Kilby, 2020;McWilliams, 1980) and existentially (Binder, 2022;Schubert et al, 2019;Wong et al, 2022). Human suffering in its existential context is of most interest here, given the focus and intent of this study.…”

Section: Human Sufferingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bring the Pain? An Examination of Human Suffering in Sartre’s <i>Being and Nothingness</i>

Jackson,

Heath

2024

OJPP

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Human suffering is a complex phenomenon that can manifest physically or psychologically. As the negative valence of affective phenomena, with the positive being pleasure or happiness, human suffering could easily be interpreted as something to avoid. Sartre explored existential aspects of human suffering in Being and Nothingness. Examining each occurrence of the word suffering in that work provides a basis for understanding the roles Sartre assigned to it within the human experience and consequently provides a more nuanced appreciation of this complex phenomenon. An electronic copy of Being and Nothingness was searched for all occurrences of the word suffering (N = 50), tabularized using the Key Word In Context (KWIC) approach at the sentence level, resulting in 40 sentences for thematic analysis. That analysis resulted in 5 themes, showing the complexity of suffering in Sartre's major philosophical work and suggesting that suffering is quintessentially human, unavoidable, and potentially liberating.

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Section: Human Sufferingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bring the Pain? An Examination of Human Suffering in Sartre’s <i>Being and Nothingness</i>

Jackson,

Heath

2024

OJPP

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Mental health and meaning: a positive autoethnographic case study of Paul Wong

Wong,

Gonot-Schoupinsky

2024

MHSI

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Purpose The purpose of this article is to meet Professor Paul T.P. Wong, PhD, CPscyh, who is based at the Department of Psychology, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. Wong represents an interesting case of how a racial/cultural minority could achieve success in a hostile environment consisting of the systemic biases of injustice, discrimination and marginalization. His life also epitomizes how one can experience the paradoxical truth of healing and flourishing in an upside-down world through the positive suffering mindset (PSM). Design/methodology/approach This case study is presented in two sections: a positive autoethnography written by Wong, followed by his answers to ten questions. The core methodology of positive autoethnography allows people to understand how Wong’s life experience of being a war baby in China, a constant outsider and a lone voice in Western culture, has shaped a very different vision of meaning, positive mental health and global flourishing. Findings Wong reveals how to live a life of meaning and happiness for all the suffering people in a difficult world. He has researched the positive psychology of suffering for 60 years, from effective coping with stress and searching for meaning to successful aging and positive death. According to Wong’s suffering hypothesis and the emerging paradigm of existential positive psychology (Wong, 2021), cultivating a PSM is essential for healing and flourishing in all seasons of life. Research limitations/implications An expanding literature has been developed to illustrate why the missing link in well-being research is how to transcend and transform suffering into triumph. Wong reveals how this emerging area of research is still not fully embraced by mainstream psychology dominated by the individualistic Euro-American culture, and thus why, in an adversarial milieu, existential positive psychology is limited by its inability to attract more researchers to test out Wong’s suffering hypothesis. Practical implications The wisdom and helpful tools presented here may enable people to achieve mature happiness and existential well-being even when they have a very painful past, a very difficult present and a bleak future. Social implications This autoethnographic case study offers new grounds for hope for all those who are injured by life, marginalized by systemic biases or tormented by chronic illnesses and disorders. It also provides a road map for a better world with more decent human beings who dare to stand up for justice, integrity and compassion. Originality/value Meaning as reflected in suffering is according to Wong the most powerful force to bring out either the worst or the best in people. The new science of suffering shows us how the authors can achieve positive transformation through cultivating a PSM, no matter how harsh one’s fate may be.

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Editorial: A new science of suffering, the wisdom of the soul, and the new behavioral economics of happiness: towards a general theory of well-being

Cited by 2 publications

References 10 publications

Bring the Pain? An Examination of Human Suffering in Sartre’s <i>Being and Nothingness</i>

Bring the Pain? An Examination of Human Suffering in Sartre’s <i>Being and Nothingness</i>

Mental health and meaning: a positive autoethnographic case study of Paul Wong

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Editorial: A new science of suffering, the wisdom of the soul, and the new behavioral economics of happiness: towards a general theory of well-being

Cited by 2 publications

References 10 publications

Bring the Pain? An Examination of Human Suffering in Sartre’s &lt;i&gt;Being and Nothingness&lt;/i&gt;

Bring the Pain? An Examination of Human Suffering in Sartre’s &lt;i&gt;Being and Nothingness&lt;/i&gt;

Mental health and meaning: a positive autoethnographic case study of Paul Wong

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Bring the Pain? An Examination of Human Suffering in Sartre’s <i>Being and Nothingness</i>

Bring the Pain? An Examination of Human Suffering in Sartre’s <i>Being and Nothingness</i>