What is fear?

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JPhil
 
Reply Thu 25 Mar, 2010 11:28 am
What is fear? We say that we should be afraid of death or afraid of people or of God but what is it that makes us afraid because in true reality there is nothing to fear at all. If we fear because of death then we should fear what can make us lose our life, which are things or people that can do this. But what of the fear of embarrassment, for example when a person wants to attract a certain person or can't tell speeches on front of people. This fear is not about death but about embarrassment therefore fear cannot be about death because how can you die from talking to someone or a crowd. But some may argue that they are afraid of death because of the pain of it. Therefore a person is afraid of pain, but what of those who are not phased by pain then they are not afraid of pain. Then fear is not about pain. If fear is not about pain, death or embarrassment then what is it about? Though these are the affects of fear but what is fear itself that makes us all do it? Because in reality there is nothing to be afraid of.

Now by what I mean there is nothing to afraid of is that since everything is made by God then why should we fear anything that is created. What power can anything created do that the creator cannot, yet the creator has the power to uncreate everything.Therefore it makes no since to fear anything that is created.

But besides that what is fear?
 
Night Ripper
 
Reply Thu 25 Mar, 2010 11:42 am
@JPhil,
JPhil;143616 wrote:
Now by what I mean there is nothing to afraid of is that since everything is made by God then why should we fear anything that is created.


I'm not sure which version of God you're following but many versions of God actually demand fear. Haven't you ever heard the expression "God-fearing man"? The God of the Old Testament is probably one of the scariest figures in literature. Just ask Job.
 
HexHammer
 
Reply Thu 25 Mar, 2010 03:19 pm
@JPhil,
JPhil;143616 wrote:
What is fear? We say that we should be afraid of death or afraid of people or of God but what is it that makes us afraid because in true reality there is nothing to fear at all. If we fear because of death then we should fear what can make us lose our life, which are things or people that can do this. But what of the fear of embarrassment, for example when a person wants to attract a certain person or can't tell speeches on front of people. This fear is not about death but about embarrassment therefore fear cannot be about death because how can you die from talking to someone or a crowd. But some may argue that they are afraid of death because of the pain of it. Therefore a person is afraid of pain, but what of those who are not phased by pain then they are not afraid of pain. Then fear is not about pain. If fear is not about pain, death or embarrassment then what is it about? Though these are the affects of fear but what is fear itself that makes us all do it? Because in reality there is nothing to be afraid of.

Now by what I mean there is nothing to afraid of is that since everything is made by God then why should we fear anything that is created. What power can anything created do that the creator cannot, yet the creator has the power to uncreate everything.Therefore it makes no since to fear anything that is created.

But besides that what is fear?
A very natural and practical instinct, which will allow you to avoid walking into that huge saber cat who will most likely have you for dinner.

Also serves as a protection feature, for family and friends.

It will allow us to learn from hurting us, then we won't repeat the same stupid mistake again.
 
Strodgers
 
Reply Thu 25 Mar, 2010 05:57 pm
@JPhil,
Fear of the unknown.
"If the tiger sees me, will I be dinner?"
"What if the audience think I'm just a joke of a person for this speech?"
"What happens after death, anything or oblivion?"
Fear in my opinion is the unknown Whats, Ifs, Whys, and Hows of life.
 
JPhil
 
Reply Thu 25 Mar, 2010 08:38 pm
@Night Ripper,
Night Ripper;143628 wrote:
I'm not sure which version of God you're following but many versions of God actually demand fear. Haven't you ever heard the expression "God-fearing man"? The God of the Old Testament is probably one of the scariest figures in literature. Just ask Job.



I'm not saying to not be afraid God, but to not be afraid of anything God has created because they can do nothing greater than God.

---------- Post added 03-25-2010 at 10:44 PM ----------

HexHammer;143725 wrote:
A very natural and practical instinct, which will allow you to avoid walking into that huge saber cat who will most likely have you for dinner.

Also serves as a protection feature, for family and friends.

It will allow us to learn from hurting us, then we won't repeat the same stupid mistake again.


Yet what if in that cat has someone of whom I love and I want to save them then why should I allow fear to over take me, then I can't save them. What I'm asking is : What is fear itself that makes us feel it? For being nervous, being scared of a monster of rejection, all of these require the same emotion to make us feel fearful, then what is that fear of feeling maybe that makes us stop.

---------- Post added 03-25-2010 at 10:53 PM ----------

Strodgers;143774 wrote:
Fear of the unknown.
"If the tiger sees me, will I be dinner?"
"What if the audience think I'm just a joke of a person for this speech?"
"What happens after death, anything or oblivion?"
Fear in my opinion is the unknown Whats, Ifs, Whys, and Hows of life.


Fear of the unknown eh. Then why should we fear the unknown? what about it keeps us from going forward?

Yet I don't think it's just the unknown what if a person is still afraid if an object yet he knows what will happen. Think of a bot wanting to speak to a girl, he knows her an he knows how beautiful she is and she doesn't mind speaking to him yet every time they converse he gets nervous but he knows there is nothing to be afraid because he has always spoken to her but because he likes her he always nervous around her.

Or of a musician playing at a recital he has played many times before but he is always afraid. Why be afraid if you know the end result. Therefore it can't be fear of the unknown. There is a certain aspect about fear that keeps making us feel it.
 
pondfish
 
Reply Thu 25 Mar, 2010 09:24 pm
@JPhil,
BELIEF - illusion of Existance.
FEAR - When you lose your fake existance , a defense mechanism created by parasite belief in you to make you think twice. A shield for belief.

FEAR is nothing but losing who you are.

FEAR do not happen if you do not think dewell on belief. Smile.

Like thinking of ghosts when you walk in dark place full of trees. Every sound make you think there is a ghost if your mind thinking of ghost.

Say I Do not exist , there is no fear!.:detective:
 
Night Ripper
 
Reply Thu 25 Mar, 2010 09:27 pm
@pondfish,
pondfish;143831 wrote:
BELIEF - illusion of Existance.
FEAR - When you lose your fake existance , a defense mechanism created by parasite belief in you to make you think twice. A shield for belief.

FEAR is nothing but losing who you are.

FEAR do not happen if you do not think dewell on belief. Smile.

Like thinking of ghosts when you walk in dark place full of trees. Every sound make you think there is a ghost if your mind thinking of ghost.

Say I Do not exist , there is no fear!.:detective:


Who doesn't exist?
 
pondfish
 
Reply Thu 25 Mar, 2010 11:04 pm
@Night Ripper,
I do not exist. .... :detective:
 
Night Ripper
 
Reply Thu 25 Mar, 2010 11:21 pm
@pondfish,
pondfish;143851 wrote:
I do not exist. .... :detective:


But doesn't your assertion presuppose there is an "I" and that you do exist?
 
HexHammer
 
Reply Fri 26 Mar, 2010 04:24 am
@JPhil,
JPhil;143816 wrote:
Yet what if in that cat has someone of whom I love and I want to save them then why should I allow fear to over take me, then I can't save them. What I'm asking is : What is fear itself that makes us feel it? For being nervous, being scared of a monster of rejection, all of these require the same emotion to make us feel fearful, then what is that fear of feeling maybe that makes us stop.
Then fortunaly in most cases the brain will assert the situation, and tell the protectionate instinct will overwrite fear instinct.

Some will do this and we call them heroes, some can't do this, and we call them cowards.

Most have a fear of death, but we'r optimistic creatures, that most of us will heed a call to protect the family or country we love.
 
Camerama
 
Reply Fri 26 Mar, 2010 11:33 am
@JPhil,
I agree w/ strodgers. Fear manifests itself from uncertainty. Be it in personal ability, or reality. Fear is subjective, there is no objective fear. Fear exists in individuals. It exists, from a lack of knowledge, or rather understanding.


Early hominids were said to fear water(fossil records are found inland). Ancient civilizations are founded, have flourished, and continue to flourish in aquatic(i cant find the word) areas. Ancient civilizations feared the cosmos. Modern civilizations are now trying to explore this frontier. Knowledge and understanding inversely diminish fear. Think so?
 
HexHammer
 
Reply Fri 26 Mar, 2010 11:45 am
@Camerama,
Camerama;144087 wrote:
Fear manifests itself from uncertainty. Be it in personal ability, or reality. Fear is subjective, there is no objective fear. Fear exists in individuals. It exists, from a lack of knowledge, or rather understanding.
Very often I have women ..many women around in my cave, and some will scream if they see a spider, though they perfectly know what it is, and also know they don't bite nor are poisonous, they still fear it, I don't see your thesis cover that aspect.

Or women who fear a harmless little cute mice.
 
Camerama
 
Reply Fri 26 Mar, 2010 11:56 am
@JPhil,
Hahah valid point, my theory does not satisfy the feminine psychosis.(Non-sweeping statement!) However, from a rational standpoint, fear of a harmless insect is irrational. I would define THAT as a phobia. A phobia dissolved, or at least temporarily assuaged by proper extermination.

Psychologically speaking, the overreaction could be ascribed to exhibitionism.

Plus, spiders are gross.
 
pinfall
 
Reply Mon 12 Apr, 2010 08:47 am
@Night Ripper,
Night Ripper;143853 wrote:
But doesn't your assertion presuppose there is an "I" and that you do exist?

But if they didn't exist then they didn't actually presuppose anything. However, the fact that I have just refferred to them means that they at least have a subjective existence.
 
 

 
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