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The Science of Fear

pointwithinacircle2

Rapscallion
Premium Member
It is my opinion that we live in a time where there is a lot of fear. I sometimes offer this explanation when people are discussing current events. Recently I was at a friends home and I mentioned my opinion that we live in fearful times as a possible explanation for why large numbers of people are engaging in certain behaviors. (is that vague enough for you?) :) My friend picked up a book and handed it to me. The book was "The Science of Fear" by Daniel Gardner. The book certainly offers an interesting perspective on the nature fear. I have never read anything quite like it. It may be a worthwhile read to anyone interested in human behavior.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
I've not read it, but fear is one of the great evils - it's up there with greed and hate...
 

coachn

Coach John S. Nagy
Premium Member
I've not read it, but fear is one of the great evils - it's up there with greed and hate...
I cannot agree with you on this one Bro. Bloke.

Fear is an indicator emotion. It tells the person experiencing it that they perceive danger. Without it, the dangers perceived would not have any compelling force to take action to minimize, reduce or eliminate potentially harmful situation. Unlike anxiety, which tells people experiencing it that change is anticipated often with uneasiness and apprehension about future uncertainties, fear tells us that we are compelled to be aware of already existing situations that are either harmful or potentially harmful. The two are often experienced together and can feed each other into an uncontrollable frenzy.

I cannot agree that the emotion fear is evil. However, the absolutely insane, irrational and unthinking responses that I see to perceived dangers can be.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
I cannot agree with you on this one Bro. Bloke......

Well, that's a change Bro Nagy :)

... Fear is an indicator emotion..

Fear is not an indicator of emotion, fear *is* an emotion. Emotions are not evil or good... they just are.

So yes, *sigh*, you're right, fear is not evil, unless an emotion can be evil... but it if you let fear drive and control and you it's possible evil will result...

As you say, it's about perception....but perceptions can be flawed and bias and distorted by both internal and external factors.. especially by the uneducated and unaware.

...I cannot agree that the emotion fear is evil. However, the absolutely insane, irrational and unthinking responses that I see to perceived dangers can be.

Agreed.

Is bravery an emotion or decision ?

The antidote to fear is often education/rationalization.. if bravery is the antonym to fear (an emotion) does that make bravery an emotion... or is it a thought... what are your thoughts?

One thing is for sure, a lot more evil is overcome by bravery than fear... or am I being idealist ?
 

coachn

Coach John S. Nagy
Premium Member
Well, that's a change Bro Nagy :)
Aren't you glad I mix it up and say the unexpected?
Fear is not an indicator of emotion, fear *is* an emotion.
I don't believe I said it was an indication of emotion. I believe I said it was an "indicator emotion". There is a huge difference and I am glad that you agree that it is an emotion.
Emotions are not evil or good... they just are.
Spot on! We are in agreement... here ;-)
So yes, *sigh*, you're right, fear is not evil, unless an emotion can be evil... but it if you let fear drive and control and you it's possible evil will result...
There's the rub. Far too many people focus on the feeling and not what the emotion is telling them.
As you say, it's about perception....but perceptions can be flawed and bias and distorted by both internal and external factors.. especially by the uneducated and unaware.
Can be?!?!?! Perception is ALWAYS flawed, bias and distorted. The key is knowing this and making your best judgment of it knowing full well that your perception is skewed in some way.
...Is bravery an emotion or decision ?
Bravery is courageous behavior or character. Being brave is a state of being. Bravery could be based upon a decision or choice. It is not an emotion. Being willing to face danger requires courage and that is based upon love.
The antidote to fear is often education/rationalization...
There are no antidotes for any emotion. Emotions exist due to perceptions. If you want to change an emotion, you have to change the perception and the focus. If you focus in not so much upon the danger than it is upon safeguarding self or others from the danger, a loving act, then the perception shifts from the danger to summoning up courageous actions.
...if bravery is the antonym to fear (an emotion) does that make bravery an emotion... or is it a thought... what are your thoughts?
See above comments ;-)
One thing is for sure, a lot more evil is overcome by bravery than fear... or am I being idealist ?
Yes, you are an idealist AND you are spot on with your overcoming comment.
 

Ripcord22A

Site Benefactor
Fear of social groups such as immigrants is not so useful.

r.
Do u lock ur car when u park it at a store? Lock ur house doors at night or when u leave?
Thats not cause ur "afraid" its cause you k ow there are some bad people out there.
Same thing with immigrants/refugees. They are coming from areas with high ratios of very very bad people. There is nothing wrong with vetting each and everyone of them as thoroughly as we can, and if there are even any yellow flags we turn em around and send em back.

If i offered u a bowl of ur favorite candy,lets say M&Ms for sake of this example, but told u ten of them would kill u if u so much as touched them....would u just grab a big ol handful amd eat up? Or would u turn the lot down and opt for something else?


Sent from my LG-H918 using My Freemasonry mobile app
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
Do u lock ur car when u park it at a store? Lock ur house doors at night or when u leave?
Thats not cause ur "afraid" its cause you k ow there are some bad people out there.
Same thing with immigrants/refugees. They are coming from areas with high ratios of very very bad people. There is nothing wrong with vetting each and everyone of them as thoroughly as we can, and if there are even any yellow flags we turn em around and send em back.
Gotta agree. There is a big difference in prudent caution and unreasonable fear.
 

coachn

Coach John S. Nagy
Premium Member
Do u lock ur car when u park it at a store?
Yes
Lock ur house doors at night or when u leave?
Yes.
Thats not cause ur "afraid" its cause you k ow there are some bad people out there.
No. I do it because I fear what bad people will do to my property should they have access to it because I didn't secure it so that they couldn't access it without breaking in. I am afraid of what I imagine they might do due to my not properly securing my property.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
Aren't you glad I mix it up and say the unexpected?

I don't believe I said it was an indication of emotion. I believe I said it was an "indicator emotion". There is a huge difference and I am glad that you agree that it is an emotion.

Spot on! We are in agreement... here ;-)

There's the rub. Far too many people focus on the feeling and not what the emotion is telling them.

Can be?!?!?! Perception is ALWAYS flawed, bias and distorted. The key is knowing this and making your best judgment of it knowing full well that your perception is skewed in some way.

Bravery is courageous behavior or character. Being brave is a state of being. Bravery could be based upon a decision or choice. It is not an emotion. Being willing to face danger requires courage and that is based upon love.

There are no antidotes for any emotion. Emotions exist due to perceptions. If you want to change an emotion, you have to change the perception and the focus. If you focus in not so much upon the danger than it is upon safeguarding self or others from the danger, a loving act, then the perception shifts from the danger to summoning up courageous actions.

See above comments ;-)

Yes, you are an idealist AND you are spot on with your overcoming comment.

We need more people to decide to be brave rather than being driven by emotion...

And Rip, the problem is we're not talking about M&Ms but people. Not saying that means you owe them putting your own family or neighbours at risk, but leaving the distressed to their fate feels wrong if we can do something....
 

Ripcord22A

Site Benefactor
Im all about helping people, as long as they are worthy...as terrorists and their supporters are not worthy. Im not willing to put my family and countrymen at risk to help people who wont help themselves. Ive been there where they are coming from...its not pretty.

Sent from my LG-H918 using My Freemasonry mobile app
 
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