#existential fear

[victusinveritas]

Stolen from Bluesky. I have no idea where it originated and do not care to look. If you made this meme or know who did, give yourself/them a hearty pat on the back.

[omegaphilosophia]

The Philosophy of Fear

The philosophy of fear delves into the nature, origins, and implications of fear, one of the most primal and powerful human emotions. Fear influences human behavior, societal norms, and philosophical thought in profound ways. By examining fear from a philosophical perspective, we gain insights into how it shapes our actions, perceptions, and interactions with the world around us.

Key Themes in the Philosophy of Fear

Nature and Definition of Fear:

Philosophers explore what fear is, distinguishing it from related emotions like anxiety, dread, and terror.

Fear is often defined as an emotional response to perceived threats or dangers, whether real or imagined.

Origins and Causes of Fear:

The causes of fear are varied and can include physical threats, social pressures, existential concerns, and psychological factors.

Philosophers consider both innate and learned aspects of fear, examining how biology and experience contribute to our fear responses.

Fear and Rationality:

The relationship between fear and rational thought is a critical area of inquiry.

Philosophers debate whether fear is a rational response to danger or an irrational emotion that can cloud judgment and decision-making.

Fear and Morality:

Fear has significant moral implications, influencing ethical decisions and behavior.

Philosophers discuss how fear can motivate moral actions, such as avoiding harm, but can also lead to immoral behavior, such as prejudice and violence.

Existential Fear:

Existential philosophers like Søren Kierkegaard and Jean-Paul Sartre have explored deep-seated fears related to human existence, such as the fear of death, meaninglessness, and freedom.

These fears are seen as integral to the human condition and central to existentialist thought.

Fear in Society and Politics:

Fear plays a crucial role in social and political contexts, often used as a tool for control and manipulation.

Philosophers examine how fear can be exploited by political leaders and institutions to maintain power and influence public opinion.

Overcoming and Managing Fear:

Strategies for overcoming fear are a significant focus, drawing from both philosophical and psychological perspectives.

Philosophers like the Stoics advocate for rational control over fear, emphasizing the importance of reason and virtue in managing emotional responses.

Fear and the Self:

The impact of fear on personal identity and self-perception is a key area of study.

Fear can shape our sense of self, influencing how we view our capabilities, limitations, and place in the world.

Cultural and Historical Perspectives:

Different cultures and historical periods have unique approaches to fear, reflecting varied beliefs, values, and experiences.

Philosophers analyze how cultural narratives and historical events shape collective fears and societal attitudes towards fear.

Fear and Art:

Fear is a prevalent theme in art and literature, used to evoke emotional responses and explore human psychology.

Philosophers consider how artistic representations of fear can provide insights into the human experience and the nature of fear itself.

The philosophy of fear offers a comprehensive framework for understanding one of humanity's most fundamental emotions. By examining fear from multiple angles, philosophers uncover the complex ways in which fear shapes our lives, influences our decisions, and affects our societies. This exploration encourages us to reflect on our fears, seek rational control over them, and understand their broader implications for our personal and collective well-being.

[kafkaesque-dweller]

A dusky night with a hazy due, I recollected my thoughts to cope up with the way things have been. Somehow I always do that, reshuffling the deck of life to feel better. Sometimes it helps, sometimes, it definitely doesn't. It's a try to change the perspective, and try to polish the night a little. Was the moon always this blurred? I am losing the sight of the visionary self I was. The moonlight used to be my crutch, now it's gone, nowhere to be found. I see people from the past doing better than me, it doesn't really bother me but it kind of hurts to see myself lagging behind. Everyone moves ahead when I stand still. The fear of missing out, always kills me, and I fail to do anything about it. At this point, even writing all of this seems to be just an escape and I feel I will lose the sense of this as well, soon. When that happens, I'll be as alive as a dead poet.

[ladyof1000masks]

My Greatest Dream

As a child, I had a boundless imagination filled with creativity. I remember the odd cast of characters I used to roleplay scenes, conversing as one character and then as another in different voices. I could entertain myself for hours even without toys. I hid in the world I created, a better world where there were always happy endings, unlike the one I lived in.

As I grew older, I became interested in writing once I learned that my stories could live beyond my mind and be shared with others. I wanted my characters, worlds, and stories to live in the real world, and become immortal by living in the hearts and minds of others. Nothing could stop me from writing page after page. I didn't understand plagiarism, copyright, or trademark. I didn't know what a fan character was.

All I knew was I loved them. I loved them because they were mine and I could do with them as I pleased. It was a way of coping with the grief not just in the real world, but when a character I loved died or was harmed in another's world. The very movies, shows, and games I played and loved, the worlds and characters made by others had inspired mine. I wished to share them with the world.

I knew that my characters could live in others through the same mediums that sparked my imagination, so I set out to write. Then when I became a teen I let the cruelty and bitterness of others and the pain I experienced in with me. It was tainted. I lost the spark. I miss it dearly.

I still badly want to share my characters, worlds, and stories with the real world, but I am troubled by fears of my writing's quality, my struggle with the plot, and how people perceive my characters. They're one of the few things I love about myself.

My greatest dream is to bring my characters, stories, and world to other people and inspire something within them. Good hopefully. As arrogant as it sounds, I'd like to see my characters become someone's comfort characters, read the lovingly crafted fan fiction written about my characters, peruse fan art, see fan theories, etc.

Not because I want fame. Fuck no. I hate being the focus. Even though I could really use some fucking money, it's not even about that. No, I want my characters, their world, and stories to live much like Mass Effect, The Elder Scrolls, Pokemon, and Batman franchises do. They needn't be as popular as any of those, just enough to survive my mortal existence and persist beyond.

Wouldn't it be funny to be reincarnated in a world where my stuff exists as a game, book, TV show, or whatever and become a fan of it?

I'm too afraid it will be terrible, so terrible that it will be hated or forgotten. Ol' Craney Pants is right. We do fear leaving nothing behind. I wish I could tell my fears to take a flying fuck off a cliff and weaponize them (though not as literally), it's not easy. I doubt anyone is reading this or even cares about the shit I spew onto my blog, but I needed to get this off my chest and where better to do that than on a blog nearly no one cares about!?

[talentedfool]

[interdimensional-warlock-man]

Gotta tell you all peeps that accidentally come across this post

Lying in bed at 2AM and then you’re suddenly hit with the

I cannot comprehend what dying will be like

Is NOT fun. Cause I legit just had a 2 second panic attack over the matter and will now not be going to sleep ever.

[morningbloodystar]

father I'm scared

Look at that, Ro, we're twinning!

[collection-of-random-ideas]

I think I unlocked a new existential fear

A few months ago I read a story where magic comes to earth and everyone gains a unique power based on their happiest memory and their greatest fear, this got me thinking about what I would answer would be and at the time I determined that loosening my memory is probably my greatest fear.

Well I started reading that story again I started thinking about those questions again and I realized something that is probably just as terrifying in its own way

Stagnation

Think about this for a second, imagine if someone took a screenshot of you as you currently are and from this moment in time, unable to grow, learn, change, truly live, or even die.

Part of me wants to sum this up to what a single immortal would feel but no, even if an immortal would be able to learn and adapt to the world around them. Whereas the idea of being completely unchanging both mentally and physically would be a torture so infinitely worse because

You would be aware of your nature

The understanding that as the world changes around you no matter how much or how long you try you are unable to adapt, sympathize, or even learn about it, the thought just terrifies me

[diamondzart]

I simply could NOT resist, okay?

I SHIP IT! I DON’T CARE! I SHIP IT :D

[missguillotine]

Apeirophobia, the fear of eternity

I spend sleepless nights thinking about the endless nothing.

I think this fear is ultimately the fear of the unknown, but it’s also something that humans weren’t designed to think about or deal with.

How do I live with the looming shadow of eternity all around me, drowning me.

It’s giant pit in my stomach that grows and grows and grows until one day, I know, it will fully consume me and every other being.

The endless void is always there and here and everywhere, it always has been and it always will be.

[knifearo]

being aromantic is like. hey btw you're going to live a life that is the culmination of most of society's worst nightmares. sorry lol ✌️ but then you turn around and take a really good hard look at it and it turns out that living in that nightmare is fucking awesome and you get to wake up every day and take that fear that other people have and laugh and hold it close until it's a great joy for you instead. and being happy is a radical act that you define instead of someone else. and you're sexy as fuck that's just a fact of life i don't make the rules on that one

[mysticfuriousfoxrebel]

Holy fuck I just realised that Aziraphale was literally relieved with happiness every time he met Crowley, because it meant that he didn't kill himself with the Holy water

[stutterhug]

A measured five year plan..

[aggressiveguitarnoises]

hes having a therapy session with pot full of soup. the soup is a great listener

[opens-up-4-nobody]

It's been a long, strange year...

[scramratz]

I keep having weird dreams and intrusive thoughts about dying lately. Y’all think I’m gonna kick the bucket soon?