All Fear Is The Fear Of Death

[Fanman]

If all fear is the fear of death. Why are people afraid of things that cannot cause death?

[AverageBozo]

Rejection and humiliation very often lead to death …giving gays the right to marry would soon and inevitably lead to the legalisation of marriage to animals.

“very often” does not include all fear.

Fear of legislation of marriage to animals doesn’t bring an individual to fear of death.

Not all fear is fear of death.

[popeye1945]

If all fear is the fear of death. Why are people afraid of things that cannot cause death?

If looked at closely one might see that the object of fear has not really been identified. When one is afraid to go out of the house what is one to think, withdrawal is a means of survival.

[popeye1945]

Rejection and humiliation very often lead to death …giving gays the right to marry would soon and inevitably lead to the legalisation of marriage to animals.

“very often” does not include all fear.
Fear of legislation of marriage to animals doesn’t bring an individual to fear of death.
Not all fear is fear of death.

AverageBozo,
If one is anticipating the fall of civilization to a social animal that definitely spells the fear of death.

[AverageBozo]

Rejection and humiliation very often lead to death …giving gays the right to marry would soon and inevitably lead to the legalisation of marriage to animals.

“very often” does not include all fear.
Fear of legislation of marriage to animals doesn’t bring an individual to fear of death.
Not all fear is fear of death.

AverageBozo,
If one is anticipating the fall of civilization to a social animal that definitely spells the fear of death.

Are you now saying that an individual considers his/her own mortality, and fears that mortality, if legislation permitting and regulating the marriage of gays is enacted, because that legislation will lead to the destruction of human civilization and replacement of that civilization by another society, I.e. that of lower animals?

I think that would be quite a stretch, and one that would only apply to those who are anticipating those circumstances, but would not apply to everyone nor to all fears as the OP has suggested.

Make no mistake. I am countering your logic in making your claims, and do not mean to disrespect you in any way.

[popeye1945]

Hi AverageBozo.
The fail of civilization would just mean chaos, and today that possibility is a pending reality that frightens a lot of people. People sometimes just turn off the news for that very reason.

[AverageBozo]

Hi AverageBozo.
The fail of civilization would just mean chaos, and today that possibility is a pending reality that frightens a lot of people. People sometimes just turn off the news for that very reason.

Does the fall of civilization result in everybody dying, or everyone just reverting to an uncivilized version of survival? A pending reality that does not cause immediate death is not a fear of death, which is what this thread is about. Fear of chaos is not the same as fear of death per se.

[popeye1945]

Does the fall of civilization result in everybody dying, or everyone just reverting to an uncivilized version of survival? A pending reality that does not cause immediate death is not a fear of death, which is what this thread is about. Fear of chaos is not the same as fear of death per se.

AverageBozo,
One cannot adapt to chaos so indeed it should evoke a fear of death unless one is totally unaware. The present state of the environment evokes fear in much of the population, again unless one is totally unaware.

[Fanman]

popeye1945,

If looked at closely one might see that the object of fear has not really been identified. When one is afraid to go out of the house what is one to think, withdrawal is a means of survival.

What if the object causing fear has been identified? Why does being afraid of a particular thing or circumstance mean that it is a fear of death? How can you reconcile causation between the fear of the object and the fear of death and it not just be an opinion?

[mystery]

But rejection and humiliation do not necessarily lead to death. Certainly they may reduce one’s chances of mating with the best genetic choices.

Fear of the future.
Fear of change.
Fear of failure.
Fear of criticism.
Fear of embarrassment.

Fear of escalators.
[/quote]
agree, death is not the largest fear. it can be, however, it will come no matter what. I recommend a book, "the power of now" for any that fear death and are limited because of that.
[/quote]

Mystery,

All of the above qualify for the possibility of the fear of death. Actually, if you read Sy Borg's post in this thread she answered this much more eloquently than I would have. Mystery, who is the author of this book, "The power of now."
[/quote]

The book's author is Eckhart Tolle. Sure, I'll look again at Borg's post again.

[mystery]

two different ones.

the fear of being crippled in some way that is serious.

the fear of shame.

Mystery,
One must ask what is the object of the fear, what will happen as a result of serious injury, in nature it often means death.
Shame, again what might happen if one is rejected, again in nature the result is often death to social or pack animals.

But rejection and humiliation do not necessarily lead to death. Certainly they may reduce one’s chances of mating with the best genetic choices.

Fear of the future.

Fear of change.

Fear of failure.

Fear of criticism.

Fear of embarrassment.

Fear of escalators.

Rejection and humiliation very often lead to death. It may be by suicide, or it may connected to resultant poverty. If our direction in life is backwards then we know where that can lead if the slide is not arrested. The subconscious often sees such a backwards slide as a potential catastrophe, especially in modern societies, just as fundamentalists claimed that giving gays the right to marry would soon and inevitably lead to the legalisation of marriage to animals. A fearful mind tends not to be logical.

Hi Borge, I can understand your viewpoint and mostly agree. Perhaps the difference of opinion is that I do not consciously view death as the worst outcome. Any that accepts suicide also would have the same view. I also do not accept suicide as the proper solution because it is a submission, although I have pity for those that do instead of the disgust that some tell of.

For all fear to be tied to death would mean that death is the worst condition. Often those that truly shine, advance, and affect positive change have made some inner peace, and the goals they have to exceed the fear of death.

I would agree that ppl that are stuck, may tie all fear to death.

[popeye1945]

Mystery,
I think those who live life to the fullest do recognize the reality of this all fear is the fear of death and refuse to bow to it. Many who live exemplary lives do dangerous things, but they don't do them foolishly. They educate themselves as a stuntman might prepare for a dangerous challenge. You are right, death is not such a terrible thing, the fear of death is worst than death itself, and can govern one's life.

[mystery]

Mystery,
I think those who live life to the fullest do recognize the reality of this all fear is the fear of death and refuse to bow to it. Many who live exemplary lives do dangerous things, but they don't do them foolishly. They educate themselves as a stuntman might prepare for a dangerous challenge. You are right, death is not such a terrible thing, the fear of death is worst than death itself, and can govern one's life.

Ok, you got me on that. I'll have to think more about it. Good argument.

[Spinix]

Lets start from a random fear and work the way down to the fear of death. Say I'm afraid to not make tryouts for the basketball team. If I were not able to make the basketball team it would prove that even though I put a lot of effort into something, I was not talented enough for society. Society is how I/we stay alive, and I feel there is a natural sensation of helplessness and very possible death because of not being caught up with society. This goes a little off the hook but I can see how every fear can be linked to the natural fear of death in some way. Now as the human race is more advanced survival is easier. Our DNA has not caught on to this as it is so recent, relatively speaking. We still have all the natural fears that used to lead to death, like not being accepted in a group of people. The fear of not passing on your genes is the basis of it all as the fear of one dying relates to this and the fear of your kids dying.

[popeye1945]

Lets start from a random fear and work the way down to the fear of death. Say I'm afraid to not make tryouts for the basketball team. If I were not able to make the basketball team it would prove that even though I put a lot of effort into something, I was not talented enough for society. Society is how I/we stay alive, and I feel there is a natural sensation of helplessness and very possible death because of not being caught up with society. This goes a little off the hook but I can see how every fear can be linked to the natural fear of death in some way. Now as the human race is more advanced survival is easier. Our DNA has not caught on to this as it is so recent, relatively speaking. We still have all the natural fears that used to lead to death, like not being accepted in a group of people. The fear of not passing on your genes is the basis of it all as the fear of one dying relates to this and the fear of your kids dying.

Hi Spinix,
Excellent summation! In nature, there is only one fear and that is the fear of death, its a constent, if you observe animals in the wild they are always on the alert. In our ancient history, we would be on the alert for lions lurking in the grass, now we might be alert to on coming cars. Animals have greater emotional lives than most people give them credit for but the emotion of fear stands out because there is a constant arms race between predator and prey, life lives upon life is the harsh reality of existence. In the modern world, this fear has become more abstract and with being self aware we sometimes fear the group, because as social animals we depend upon them and need their approval. Today we are more likely to be preyed upon by our fellow citizens than prowling lions. What makes a man get up in the morning to go to a job he hates year in and year out, the fear of death is a great motivator sometimes overcome the human will and killing a person's spirit.