Is Fear Always a Negative?
August 23, 2006 | Life | People & Society
Kat asked, in a comment, "Is fear always a negative thing?" I briefly reflected, and here's where I am now:
I think of fear as a continuum between "an alert edge" and "paralyzed with fear." What we generalize as "fear" starts at alertness, because at that point you can no longer be fully "open"—you are looking for something, even if you don't know what. By the time you increase your fear to paralyzation, you're toast. In the middle range are an infinite number of emotional and psyiological states which have a fearful component. A less fearful, more fear-less life would seem to have a number of important benefits. It might be worth reflecting on those in depth.
Comments
I like your fear continum concept, and pretty much agree with your analysis of it.
That being said, I also wonder if our culture sometimes gives fear an unnecessarily bad rap. Without 'an edge' of fear there can be no courage.
Fear can sometimes act as a safe-guard too...even as a response to inappropriate fearlessness. (eg. fear kicks in when I am standing too close to the edge of a cliff and I experience a momentary curiosity/impulse to step off it.)
This topic is something I've never delved into that thoroughly but I'm interested in reflecting on more...thanks for sparking that!
Posted by: Kat at August 25, 2006 04:01 AM
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