Fear is pain arising from the anticipation of evil.

Fear is pain arising from the anticipation of evil.Aristotle

In the wild, this is the definition of fear. In a zoo, not as much.

What does that mean?
Fear.  That’s a powerful word, if you let it be.  Think of the things you are afraid of.  Not all are “evil” in the classic good/evil viewpoint.  If we go with that, it really does fall apart pretty quickly, as to be classically evil, there must be ill intent.  Does the gravity that is part of the fear of falling have evil intent, I think not.

Instead, if we think of this evil as being an unpleasant result, I believe it fits a little better.  I am not fluent in ancient Greek, or the connotative meanings appropriate to the time, so I can’t say for sure that this is where Aristotle was going with it, but it is what I will use for this post.

So, restating: “Fear is pain arising from the anticipation of an unpleasant result”

Why is the anticipation important?
Think of something you fear.  Animals, heights, closed spaces, whatever it might be.  If we were anticipating a pleasant result, would we fear it?  If the animal, instead of biting, stinging, or killing you only wanted to cuddle and play pleasantly (by your definition), would they still invoke fear?

True, things with too many or too few limbs can be really creepy, but would you be afraid of them if you KNEW they would do you no harm?  Can you think of any animals that you are afraid of, that you know can’t do you any real harm?

Is there really any other explanation, other than the anticipation of an unpleasant result?  I’ve been bitten by a dog.  Yes it was unpleasant, but as I didn’t anticipate it, I didn’t fear it.  It simply happened.  Have you had a similar experience?

If you are afraid of heights or closed spaces, are you afraid of them specifically, or are you anticipating an unpleasant result.  I try to remember to tell people I have a fear of falling, not a fear of heights.  There is still the anticipation of an unpleasant result, but it’s a little more specific. Similarly, I’m not so much afraid of closed spaces, I fear being unable to move, unable to help or protect myself.

So, for example, I’m not afraid of diving boards (well, up to 3 meters, at least), but I do have fear of being tied up, even if left in an open space.  Again, the anticipation is the key factor.  Unless there is no water (or it’s really cold), diving gives me the anticipation of a pleasant result, while being tied up gives rise to anticipation of all kinds of unpleasantness.

Where can I apply this in my life?
Well, if you fear nothing, then you probably have already applied this principle to your life.  Perhaps not in these words, but if you look for the beliefs underlying your fearlessness, you will find something similar.  Unless you are under 25, then you are expected to believe you are invincible. (joking)

For the rest of us, a very short excerpt from the book (and movie) Dune might help us understand… “Fear is the mind-killer”  When you are in a state of fear, how clear are your thoughts?  If that fear is of the anticipation of something happening, has the fear and it’s effect on your mind helped or hindered your ability to deal with the situation?  Yes, it’s easy to talk about, but in real life, how do you do this?

Personally, I’d start small.  If bugs bug you, start by looking at pictures of some that don’t induce much fear.  Try to determine what specifically you think the unpleasant result might be.  Do your research to determine how unlikely such a result might be.

Don’t believe the movies, they exist to scare you.  Then find a slightly scarier bug and look at the picture, determine the root of your fear, and dig it out, examine it and discard it (if appropriate).  Eventually, it might help to see one in person.

Just look at it.  If you’re up to the ultimate test, find someone to help you safely handle the bug, safe for the bug and for you.  Some creatures are poisons, but most of them won’t seriously harm an adult human.

Even if your fear of a Tiger is grounded in fact (tigers can kill, and are known killers), will fear (the mind-killer) help you deal with a situation where you have to escape from a man eating tiger…  Now that sounds silly on it’s face, doesn’t it?

Unless you live somewhere where the few remaining tigers live, your chances of even seeing one without glass or bars between you and them are practically zero, right?  Be cautious, respect the power, but don’t be afraid.

From: Twitter, @AncientProverbs
confirmed at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/aristotle122430.html
Photo by  Chester Zoo

About philosiblog

I am a thinker, who is spending some time examining those short twitter quotes in greater detail on my blog.
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5 Responses to Fear is pain arising from the anticipation of evil.

  1. Here’s a bit of synchronicity. I read this before breakfast today, then during breakfast, I watched an episode of Doctor Who in which wolves were scared of something. Clara asked what wolves would be scared of, and it was a tiger that had escaped from the London zoo. It looked a lot like the tiger pictured above from Chester Zoo, also from the UK. The episode was called “Tiger (In the Forest of the Night)” after the line from William Blake, which I’ve heard enough times in the Tangerine Dream album Tyger.

    • philosiblog says:

      Thanks for stopping by and for taking the time to leave a comment.

      Interesting, as I am also a Doctor Who fan, and liked the episode. Interesting coincidence, for those who believe in them. How would your day have been different if you were watching a different show? What might you have noticed in show which tied into the post? Just a thought…

      Hope to hear from you again.

  2. Pingback: Fear that makes us run from a mad dog is useful and necessary, whereas fear rooted in mistrust is unhelpful and needs to be overcome. | philosiblog

  3. business development says:

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts on how to cold call.

    Regards

    • philosiblog says:

      Thanks! Cold calling is a place where this quote fits, especially if you use the slightly adjusted definition of ‘evil’ meaning an unpleasant or undesired result. “Fear is pain arising from the anticipation of an unpleasant result”

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