Fear is a fundamental human emotion, one that can shape our thoughts, behaviours, and even our lives. But what really is fear? The Stoics argue that to truly be free, we must overcome our fears, in particular the irrational and unfounded fears. According to Stoic philosophy, freedom comes from recognising what we can and cannot control. Meanwhile, scientific research on the brain, particularly the role of the amygdala and hippocampus, reveals how our fear responses are essential for survival, sometimes over-ruling the rational part of our brain and leading to conditions like PTSD. This complex threading between philosophy and science conveys a deeper insight into our understanding of fear, suggesting that distinguishing between rational and irrational fears can be crucial for mental well-being. From the Stoics to modern psychologists like Freud, the path to understanding and grasping the concept of fear has been seen as essential for achieving a life of autonomy and peace from within ourselves.
So, what are you afraid of? Not just situationally, but generally? The Stoics tell us that so long as we have these fears, we are never truly free, instead true freedom comes from overcoming irrational fears and desires. Stoicism originated as a “Hellenistic philosophy”, founded in Athens by Zeno of Citium (modern day Cyprus), in c. 300 B.C.E (influenced by Socrates and the Cynics). Central to Stoic philosophy is the idea of the dichotomy of control: some things are within our control (our thoughts, choices and actions), whilst others are not (external events, other people’s actions and natural occurrences). The Stoics believed that fear often arises from concerns over things we cannot control. By focusing only on what is within our control, we can reduce unnecessary fears and anxieties, thereby achieving a sense of freedom. Ultimately, Stoicism teaches us that humans should live in harmony with nature and understand their place in the world. Whilst fear disrupts this harmony by creating internal conflict, the Stoics argued that by recognizing the transient nature of life and the inevitability of death, individuals could free themselves from the fear of loss, pain and mortality. This perspective may enable us to live fully and authentically in the present moment.
Scientifically, fear stems from the central medial nucleus of the amygdala triggers cortisol release and activates the autonomic nervous system for the fight-or-flight response. If a neutral stimulus (like music) is paired with a shock, the connection between them strengthens, allowing the neutral stimulus to trigger a fear response by activating the amygdala. The hippocampus, which stores memories, can also influence these fear responses. Basically, look at the amygdala as a security alarm system where the central medial nucleus is the main control panel that sends out alerts. When it detects a threat, it sends a signal to the hypothalamus, which in turn releases cortisol (the body’s stress hormone) and activates the body’s alarm bells (the autonomic nervous system) to prepare for fight-or-flight. Now, imagine a situation where the alarm system starts associating a harmless sound, like music, with a real threat, like a break-in. Over time, the system learns to react to the sound of the music alone, triggering the same alert response without the actual threat. The hippocampus acts like the memory storage of the system, keeping a record of past events and experiences, which can also influence how the alarm responds to potential threats. Sounds tiring doesn’t it? This is what it is like to have PTSD. In fact, research using MRI on children who experienced trauma found that higher trauma exposure was linked to smaller hippocampal volume, larger amygdala volume and increased amygdala activation. There was also greater connectivity between the amygdala and the brain stem with more exposure to violence. Therefore, resulting in increased physical symptoms of stress, such as a faster heart rate and heightened alertness, making these children more sensitive to perceived threats and more vulnerable to anxiety and PTSD.
As opposed to neurotic fear, Sigmund Freud analysed that real fear appears to be a rational response to an external danger and the expression of the instinct of self-preservation. According to Freud, real fear is a rational and natural response to a genuine external threat or danger. This type of fear serves as an important function for survival and self-preservation. Freud’s distinction between real fear and other types of fear has significant implications for understanding human behaviour and psychological responses, suggesting that not all fear is pathological; some fear is (or was) necessary and beneficial for survival. The tricky part is recognising and understanding the difference between real and irrational fears. This differentiation can help in identifying appropriate therapeutic approaches for anxiety and fear-related disorders. All in all, Freud’s analysis of real fear highlights its role as a natural and adaptive response to external dangers, highlighting the importance of fear in maintaining self-preservation and survival.
Ultimately, our fears are as big or small as you make them. In my opinion, in order to try and understand our fears and their impact on our lives, we need to explore both the philosophical and scientific perspectives; after all, our relationship with fear is a complex one. While some fears are rational and serve to protect us, others are irrational and can dominate our thoughts, leading to anxiety and disorders. Whether through Stoic practices, psychological understanding, or both, overcoming our fears is crucial for mental well-being, inner peace and ultimately, a life lived to its fullest potential.
Dolphinmind 