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The only thing we have to fear is fear itself
Since the events of September 11th 2001, concerns about large-scale threats such as terrorism, epidemics and natural disasters are causing an "epidemic of fear," according to some observers. Others disagree. Regardless of whether high anxiety is justified, however, both sides probably would agree that fear alone could have a significant impact on society. Is fear useful?
Fear is one of the primary emotions, together with joy, anger, and grief. Fear generally refers to feelings elicited by tangible, realistic dangers, as opposed to anxiety, which often arises out of proportion to the actual threat or danger involved. Fear may be provoked by exposure to traumatic situations (such as 9/11), observations of other people exhibiting fear, or the receipt of frightening information.
A fearless person would not survive very long. He would cross the street on the red light and would be knocked down by cars. He would lean his head out of the window, would lose balance and would be found on the pavement. Therefore, every living creature struggles for its suvival, and the emotion which is the fear is one of the most important mechanisms of safeguarding as well at the man as in the animal. We need to fear in order to live.
Still, could not we say the way America fears is somewhat exaggerated. In response to the terrorist attacks in New York, the United States declared war. Are they getting slittly too paranoïd? “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” said President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933. Worse than being fearless, is being fearful, being afraid of everything and not being able to control ourselves. Paranoia is characterized by systematized delusions and the projection of personal conflicts, which are ascribed to the supposed hostility of others, sometimes progressing to disturbances of consciousness and aggressive acts believed to be performed in self-defence or as a mission. Ring a bell? The point here is not to judge the United States in any way. The point is the better balanced we are, the better we will live.
Fear is a necessary tool for survival, a warning of danger. However, fear also inhibits our powers or distorts expressions of those powers and means living self-defeated, not able to utilize our potential to live our lives to the fullest in ourselves and with others. Do not let the fear generated by 9/11 invade you!