https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hATcs4Zpdqo to watch Thomas Hubl and Otto Sharmer in recent dialogue...
I have always taught that the significant area of Fear Studies (include 'fear' studies) has to be linked to evolutionary theory, defense psychology theory (e.g., Freud's defense mechanisms, and Ernest Becker's views as well, as found in Terror Management Theory)--but my teaching has always been that why "fear" is so important (and often toxic) is because of humans being "hurt" (i.e., traumatized and not yet healed from past hurts). Hubl puts forward his 3 "Forces" (or "drives") in his own evolutionary theory of transformation, with the last one "trauma" being critically important, if not the most important to understand better than we usually do.
Comments
Larry, no apology needed. You obviously have a strong view of the relationship between fear, bravery, civilization. I just looked up your name to see you are the author of "From Tradition to Truth: Fear, Beleif, and Civilization" (Civilization Press, 2016). You've apparently taken a long look at the nature and role of fear from individuals to the collective evolution of civilization itself. Cool. What is your definition of civilization? Btw, here is the publisher's description to Larry's book:
"How our ancient ancestors first developed more than 4,000 gods to honor (mostly to fear), then how later societies changed that honoring to a single God, How the fears of early man controls much of our thinking today, and how these limitations prevent man today from what I define as Civilization. How Jesus was born at the most turbulent period in world history. And more learnings from my more than seventy years of observing and thinking."
Okay, I understand you are 70+ years old and have a lot to offer. I'd be curious to know more about you and your background and interests too, so it will help me frame my own responses to your question in the Comment May 23 (below). I encourage others to check out Larry's views and book, and comment here on his inquiry... about fearlessness (and, is such a concept even valuable or even dangerous?, as Larry seems to be pointing towards).
I must apologize, in that I have not yet seen a definition of fearlessness as you use it. Allow me to interject some thoughts here, at least for my own clarity. It is clear that some I have discussed the subject with in the past, and who push the concept of fearlessness, misjudge how bravery takes place. It makes sense that we all begin our dealing with fear with the understanding that both the primary, and the strongest emotion of virtually every creature ever born on this planet is fear. Fear kept our ancient ancestors from being a meal for an animal. Although we rarely face that level of threat today, all of us are protected by our fears. It is certainly true that many people are able to act strongly regardless of the natural fears they deal with every day. However, their actions must be taken both with the awareness of the restrictions their natural fears would have imposed, and the evaluated decisions they have made to over-ride the restrictions imposed. "Fearlessness" cannot mean there was never any fear. in reality, anyone who actually was without fear, would not remain long on this earth.
Larry Kueneman
larryjkueneman@gmail.com