Evolution has the problem of path-dependence, though. Once the “don’t do that” / “pay attention to that” mechanism builds up slowly over many generations, it cannot refactor in such a way that it surgically cuts out the internal feeling of pain in precisely those circumstances where, “hey, might as well give up”.
It’s hard to see what reproductive benefit there would be to reduced suffering when dying either so there is unlikely to be any evolutionary pressure in that direction.
Evolution has the problem of path-dependence, though. Once the “don’t do that” / “pay attention to that” mechanism builds up slowly over many generations, it cannot refactor in such a way that it surgically cuts out the internal feeling of pain in precisely those circumstances where, “hey, might as well give up”.
It’s hard to see what reproductive benefit there would be to reduced suffering when dying either so there is unlikely to be any evolutionary pressure in that direction.