Fear: The Catalyst of Life's Decisions

In a world where our decisions depend on our deep-seated values, fear becomes not merely an emotional response but a powerful motivator that sets the course of life. From the potential loss of what we hold dear to the anxiety over the safety of our loved ones, our inner world is constantly balancing between protection and the pursuit of new opportunities.

Considering human beings as guardians of their individual value systems, it is easy to understand that the threat of losing something significant awakens a sharp sense of anxiety that swiftly escalates into fear. This internal mechanism not only shapes our choices but also guides our behavior in times of uncertainty. We instinctively strive to protect our dearest ones, often risking ourselves to demonstrate how deeply the instinct for preserving our lineage is embedded within us. Simultaneously, the unknown and incomprehensible—be it darkness or death itself—stimulates our need for control and security, urging us to seek reliable bearings in life. Additionally, irrational fears, such as phobias and superstitions, continue to influence our worldview despite their lack of logical foundation.

In summary, fears—whether of loss, for loved ones, or of the unknown—form the matrix through which we perceive life events. They not only lay the foundation for our decisions but also drive us toward constant self-improvement, allowing us to find a balance between self-preservation and the desire for change. This perspective transforms fear from a negative factor into a source of energy and strength for transforming one’s personal universe.

What are the main fears that have the greatest impact on a person’s worldview and life decisions?

The primary fears that decisively influence a person’s worldview and choices are the fear of losing those values deemed most significant, the fear for the safety of loved ones, and the fear of the unknown—a fear often accompanied by the recognition of one’s vulnerability to death and uncertainty.

Firstly, when considering a person as the bearer of a subjective hierarchy of values, the possibility of losing what is dear naturally arouses anxiety that can easily turn into fear. As noted in one source, “if we accept that every individual is guided by his or her own subjective hierarchy of values, it is a priori obvious that the possibility of losing the values we hold dear stirs up anxiety in us, easily morphing into fear. The miser fears losing money above all; the hedonist fears the loss of sexual prowess; the lover fears losing his beloved; the politician or public figure fears losing popularity, and so on” (source: link , page: 936-937). This observation emphasizes that the fear of losing personal values shapes pivotal decisions and forms one’s worldview.

Secondly, another deeply ingrained fear pertains to protecting loved ones, especially children. The instinct for familial immortality suggests that the fear for one’s children and close ones penetrates deeper than the fear for one’s own life. “The instinct of familial immortality is embedded in us as deeply as the instinct of self-preservation. Therefore, even the most timid father or mother will, under normal circumstances, protect their children at the cost of their own life” (source: link , page: 931-932). This internal disposition not only shapes defensive behavior but also influences an overall life perspective aimed at preserving and transmitting values.

Thirdly, a significant impact on one’s worldview comes from the fear of the unknown and mysterious, which is exemplified in fears of darkness or death. This fear arises from the sensation of approaching something unfathomable and alien: “We are always afraid of the unknown, of mystery. This is the basis for children’s fear of the dark. But even fears beyond childhood are always connected with a sense of psychic darkness and inscrutability. Death is a leap into some unfathomable, bottomless, dark abyss” (source: link , page: 942). This feeling of uncertainty amplifies the drive for control and security in life.

Equally important is the effect of irrational fears—phobias and instinctive superstitions—which, though lacking rational justification, continue to impose a heavy burden on the individual. As stated, “it becomes problematic because we continually fear objects that, from the standpoint of common sense, should not evoke fear. These include, first and foremost, ‘phobias’—those instinctive superstitions abundant in the soul of every neurotic” (source: link , page: 931-933).

Thus, a person’s worldview is shaped by several key fears: the fear of losing personally cherished things, the anxiety for the safety and well-being of loved ones, and the fear of the unknown and death. They are interconnected, reflecting both the biological instincts of self-preservation and a subjective understanding of what is truly valuable in life.

Supporting citation(s):
“If we accept that every individual is guided by his or her own subjective hierarchy of values, it is a priori obvious that the possibility of losing the values we hold dear stirs up anxiety in us, easily morphing into fear. The miser fears losing money above all; the hedonist fears the loss of sexual prowess; the lover fears losing his beloved; the politician or public figure fears losing popularity, and so on.” (source: link , page: 936-937)

“The instinct of familial immortality is embedded in us as deeply as the instinct of self-preservation. Therefore, even the most timid father or mother will, under normal circumstances, protect their children at the cost of their own life.” (source: link , page: 931-932)

“We are always afraid of the unknown, of mystery. This is the basis for children’s fear of the dark. But even fears beyond childhood are always connected with a sense of psychic darkness and inscrutability. Death is a leap into some unfathomable, bottomless, dark abyss.” (source: link , page: 942)

“It becomes problematic because we continually fear objects that, from the standpoint of common sense, should not evoke fear. These include, first and foremost, ‘phobias’—those instinctive superstitions abundant in the soul of every neurotic.” (source: link , page: 931-933)