u/sje397

I searched briefly and was surprised to find this idea not specifically formulated...

But is it not likely that entire civilizations might reach satisfaction and pass away peacefully and happily?

I'm not sure I would want to live forever. I do hope that when I die I'm happy. In many cases people probably rationalize their mortality, but almost certainly some die peacefully.

Perhaps the resistance to this idea comes from the way we would treat 'terminal satisfaction' in an individual: it might be ok for a 90yo but considered a mental health issue for a young person?

I read the idea might be most aligned with those of the philosopher/futurist Arthur Schopenhauer, who was heavily influenced by Buddhism and whom I have not read.