Abstract

The article reviews Gernot Böhme's theory of an ethics of suffering. While being among the very few attempts to suggest a positive and immanent role for suffering, the author signals its paternalist view. According to Böhme's conception, the patient «owes to herself» to be cured in the first place and to comply with medical efforts. This partly baffles the most interesting notion of Böhme's proposal, that of "Souveränität" over suffering, meaning the capacity of acceptance of suffering, not out of indifference but out of freedom from despair. The acquisition of such a capacity is an art that can be learnt and taught.