Annoyingly, a second time, Wikipedia (editors) have chosen, without reason, to remove the "Fearism" article I so carefully crafted and posted on their site as "Sandbox" meaning it is under progress. They have never done this with my "Fearlessness Movement" Wikipedia but just recently have I noticed the "Fearism" one is gone. So, I will post it here as an important archival document they cannot touch. -enjoy, M.
FEARISM -Wikipedia August, 30/15
[page under construction] [note: although an E-W balanced perspective is attempted, this is still largely a W. biased article at this point]
FEARISM
Contributing to and/or countering the human Fear Problem (1), fearism is a phenomena and core idea with many concepts used with increasing prevalence in the 21st century in some scholarly, theoretical, and popular discourses. Respectively, it serves the intention to label a movement, philosophy, and/or ideology that either focuses on fear as the "most important consciousness [aspect] in life" motivating and shaping our lives (2), or it is used disparagingly to criticize those who appear to overly-focus and obsess on fear(s)--that is, "fearists" (3)--and, the latter thus creating acts of fear-mongering and/or an unnecessarily "negative" view of humanity, history, existence and fear itself.
Contents: 1. History 2. Philosophy, Theory, Practice 3. See Also 4. References
HISTORY
Although [Subba] (4) a philosopher, poet and novelist (from Nepal, living in Hong Kong) is supposed to be "The first to coin the word fearism" (5) in 1999 (6), R. Michael Fisher, a Canadian self-proclaimed integral fearologist and educator (7) coined it two years earlier in 1997 (8). Fisher used the term frequently after 9/11, 2001 (9). Since the publication of Subba's 2014 first English translation of his thoughts, in Philosophy of Fearism (10), Fisher (living in the US, developing a philosophy of fearlessness since 1989) and Subba joined their philosophies into one philosophy of fearism in 2015 in a new book based on their intertextual E. W. dialogue. They wrote: "Fisher recalls that excitement because reading Subba's book was like looking in a mirror across the expanse of the globe. We had so much in common to talk about. At last, it felt like each of us had found the other's equal in focus on fear as a serious philosophical and yet, practical part of our lives. We have our differences in studying fear [and conceiving fearism]... but we are focusing in this book mostly on our agreements. We want to build strong foundations of commonality and then later explore and critique each other's work and engage other critiques as well from scholars, professionals, and laypersons" (11).
Although Fisher, a scholar, and Subba, a writer, have used the term fearism by far more than anyone else, there are, according to Fisher's research (12), four American and British scholars (at least) known to have used fearism as a concept (once each in a journal article) in the field of Social Sciences, beginning as early 1997 (same year as Fisher coined it) and then in 2003, 2010, 2014. Kalir (2014) is the only author-scholar (other than Fisher, or Subba) to have used fearism in the title of their work (13). The 2014 and 2010 uses by W. scholars are citations directly of Fisher's work and his conceptualization of fearism (14).
Popular culture (e.g., Internet) uses of the term are sometimes (unreliably) difficult to determine by date (or place) of which they appeared. It is not a common expression, but it is also one recognized by many in pop culture. Anonymous (2009) wrote "Fearism Story: Fear of Others" on a blog (15). Olmsted (a blogger) in 2010 connected "old racism" conception to "new fearism," concluding: "Hate is so last century; it has been replaced by fear."(16) There are many others writing on the Internet using the term fearism (or fear-ism).
PHILOSOPHY, THEORY, PRACTICE
The most common way "fearism" is used comes from popular culture, as opposed to more rigorous scholarly and/or literary writing. In the popular domain (e.g., Internet) there are ample definitions of fearism offered, which are all similar in their disparaging view; for e.g., Orosco (n.d.), blogging as a member and spokesperson of a Latina Spiritual Liberation Movement, wrote: "When we live by fear, it imposes itself on our decisions about manifesting our dreams, maintaining our health or even when we love. Fear darkens our perception of the world, of others and of ourselves. This belief system based on fear is called Fearism" (17).
Although in basic agreement with this popular culture view of Orosco (n.d.), Desh Subba is a leading critical thinker and award-winning author/philosopher (18) (founder of Philosophy of Fearism and/or theory of fearism (19)) in the E. (Nepal), who takes a much more positive "fearist perspective" (20) on fearism in his analysis of the nature and role of fear on humans historically, today, and in the future. Subba wrote: "Fear was taken to be a negative factor yesterday [historically]. It has been negatively interpreted in many religious texts, philosophies, and literary texts. Fearism has a positive perspective towards it" (21). Subba concludes: “Fearism has a positive perspective.... Like Marxism and existentialism, fearism interprets both life and the world" with, more or less, emphasis on the role of fear (22); “Positive fear is essential to acquire success in life. Again, nothing is possible to do without fear" (23), yet, like in Fisher's philosophy of fearlessness (24) become a philosophy of fearism (in 2015), there is a "fearless path" (25) and "Fearless Age" (26) optimistically available for us all. Subba's primary suggested means of attaining freedom from unnecessary fear (i.e., fearless) is via mostly a philosophical attitude of rationalism (i.e., willed mental-cognitive changes), and accompanying (almost ascetic) choices of self-discipline (27).
However complementary Subba's general philosophy is to other philosophies (in part, a critical "Dephilosophy"), he (like Fisher) is also very critical of other philosophies (and religions) E. or W. for their lack of adequate acknowledgement of the pivotal role of fear and fearism--and thus, their shortcoming in offering a treatment to the Fear Problem. Subba's fearism (not unlike Fisher's fearlessness), is his recommended treatment (or practice), according to Long (2015), which "uses the concept of fearism as a therapy for everyone who wants to get rid of fear" (28). Subba's down-to-earth humanistic, secular communistic politics (29), practical and visionary philosophy of fearism has taken hold in parts of the E. like N.E. India and Nepal, primarily because of its roots in E. literary theory and practices and specifically because of its uniqueness in contribution: According to Bikram Bir Thapa: "His [Subba's] fearism will make [the] Nepali literary world and the world literature" something outstanding (30). Subba has described many who have been involved in setting up a Fearism Study Centre in Dharan, Nepal in August, 2009 (Chairman, Prof. Dr. Tanka Prasad Neupane and the poet, Vice-Chairman, MunaRaj Sherma). He has documented many lectures, courses, fiction and non-fiction publications in the E. (mostly in Nepali), but now being translated into several other E. and W. languages on fearism applications (31).
In the W., in contrast (partially) to Subba and his E. followers, R. Michael Fisher tells a slightly different story (and critique) of how fearism is theorized by W. scholars, including himself (preferring most recently a distinction of fearism-t as related but distinct from Subbaian fearism in its signification as 't' for "toxic" ideological more cultural-political form (32)). In Fisher (2014) and Fisher and Subba (forthcoming) he summarizes his research on uses of fearism by scholars, who (unlike Subba and Fisher) do not characteristically focus their professional careers on studying fear or fearism. Fisher's summary of such W. scholars suggests they all have a similar critique of W. society and culture that has aspects of it that are oppressive, and fearism is (like classism, racism, sexism) oppressive and violent in its operations--as Fisher's use of fearism (or now fearism-t) has been characterized by (33), since at least 1997. The current Fisher-Subba collaboration of one philosophy of fearism has altered Fisher's bias and turns more into a synthesis of the more positive E. form (use Subba et al) and negative W. form (use by W. scholars)--albeit, even in the E. there is no total agreement on the positive form (34). Fisher suggests diverse theories of fearism are required for the time being, thus, any differences in uses of the term fearism are not so important per se, yet in the future they may lead to something more: "As well as pursuing with Subba a philosophy of fearism [an umbrella conception], there ought to be sufficient space for a diversity of theories of fearism--if not, someday a more universal theory of fearism. I do not think we are there yet.... I craft [in Fisher, 2014] one particular theory of fearism... that ought to inform a generic philosophy of fearism [and visa versa]. It's a dialectical relationship" (35).
SEE ALSO
Fearlessness Movement
REFERENCES
1. Although many critical thinkers have identified the human "fear problem" (individually and collectively), including US President F.D. Roosevelt's 1941 declaration ["four freedoms"] (which, one is "freedom from fear,") and the United Nations Declaration of Universal Human Rights (1948) including that "freedom from fear" as a human right, the most systematic scholarly treatment of the Fear Problem, within an evolutionary and developmental perspective is articulated in Fisher (2010:91, 92, 94). Fisher, R. M. (2010). The world's fearlessness teachings: A critical integral approach to fear management/education for the 21st century. Lanham, MD: University Press of America. 2. Long (2015) summarized Desh Subba's "philosophy of fearism" as operating on this premise. See Long, Y. (2015). Desh Subba Analyses Philosophy of Fearism in New Book. Retrieved August 13, 2015 from http://www.digitalproducer.com/article/Desh-Subba-analyses-Philosophy-of-Fearism-in-new-book-3694603 3. Within popular culture, for e.g., according to an online Urban Dictionary: "Fearist- [noun] "One who uses [fear-based] techniques such as improper spelling and grammar to intimidate others... political party, primarily consisting of gangsters [by George the Fearist, Sept. 02, 2010]. Retrieved from http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Fearist. This popular interpretation (labeling) is very different than Desh Subba's more positively connotation (via, his "fearist perspective") developed in Subba, D. (2014). Philosophy of fearism: Life is conducted, directed and controlled by the fear. Xlibris, 11-12. 4. According to Rai (2011:49), Subba is well-known as a poet and writer in Nepal and India as one amongst several Nepali literary figures (like Yug Pathak, Shrawan Mukarung) who are "highly influenced by the socio-cultural and political revolution in Nepal [under the regime of the Shah]. They have a keen sense of interest and concern to the ignored and marginalized groups in Nepali society and history." Rai,J. K. (2011). Voice of the subaltern in Mukarung's Bise Nagarchiko Bayaana. Jodem: Journal of the Department of English, 3(3), 41-49. Mahendra Multiple Campus, Dharan. 5. According to Long (2015), cited in E.N.2. 6. According to Subba, he first introduced the term in Nepal in his 1999 novel manuscript entitled Bhayabad, and his reviewers were so taken with the term they encouraged him to keep writing on it, which he has ever since. The Nepali Bhayabad is published later [by Kitabghar Publications, Nepal in 2014]" (Subba in E.N. 54, in Fisher and Subba, forthcoming, p.129). Fisher, R. M., and Subba, D. (forthcoming). A philosophy of fearism: A first E-W dialogue. Xlibris. 7. See bio profile at Fearlessness Movement (Wikipedia). 8. Fisher (1997) was writing his own theory of fear and was summarizing Dorothy Rowe's work around "Fear Denied" in one of her chapters and Fisher wrote: "'Fear Denied,' in Rowe's words, is when 'fear' becomes 'fearism' as a social dis-ease. She documents the long-term [destructive] effects of this denial of 'fear' and how it begins in our family home and the educational institutions of our young" (p. 263). Fisher, R. M. (1997). Spectrum of 'Fear.' Unpublished ms. The concept fearism was not further explicitly developed by Fisher at this time. 9. Without any knowledge of Subba's work (and visa versa), it wasn't until four years later the concept was developed in Fisher, R. M. (2001). 'Fear' Studies: A conceptual proposal. Technical Paper No. 11. Vancouver, BC: In Search of Fearlessness Research Institute. 10. Subba, D. (2014). Philosophy of fearism: Life is conducted, directed and controlled by the fear. Xlibris. 11. Fisher, R. M., and Subba, D. (forthcoming). A philosophy of fearism: A first E-W dialogue. Xlibris, 18. 12. Fisher, R. M. (2014). Towards a theory of fearism. Technical Paper No. 51. Carbondale, IL: In Search of Fearlessness Research Institute, 22-25. 13. Kalir, B. (2014). The Jewish State of anxiety: Between moral obligation and fearism in the treatment of African asylum seekers in Israel. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2014.960819 14. That is, from Fisher, R. M. (2006). Invoking 'Fear' Studies. Journal of Curriculum Theorizing, 22(4), 39-71. 15. Retrieved from http://thechaosofdeath.blogspot.com/2009/04/fearism-story-fear-of-others.html 16. He is remarking on the Tea Parties (mostly White people), for e.g., and their use of creating fear of Black ascendancy in America, e.g. due to the rise of Pres. Obama in 2008, 2012 election victories and other changes in American society. Olmsted, M. (2010). How the old racism became the new fearism. Huffington Post, May 26. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-olmsted/how-the-old-racism-became_b_588794.html 17. Orosco, S. (n.d.). 3 steps to recognize and overcome limitation and regain your inner power. Retrieved from http://8waystosay.com/3-steps-to-recognize-and-overcome-limitation-and-regain-your-inner-power/ 18. Subba's (2014) book Philosophy of Fearism has won a few international book awards, e.g., National Indie Excellence Awards, 2015. 19. In Subba (2014) he uses "philosophy" and "theory" interchangeably, loosely, and problematically at times when discussing fearism. 20. "The fearist perspective is a new dimension [lens] to look at life and the world [whereby fear plays the major shaping role].... How does the fearist perspective look at life and the world? The purpose behind fearism [and fearist perspective and desire] is to conduct continuous research, investigation, and invention in order to [reduce unnecessary fear] in order to make life more comfortable [and achieve full potential]" (Subba, 2014:11).. 21. Ibid., Subba (2014:332). 22. Ibid., 332. 23. Ibid., 313. 24. See for e.g., Fisher (2010). 25. Ibid., Subba (2014:316). Fisher would call this "path of fearlessness." 26. Ibid., 45-46. 27. “There is no need for an outer source of power for the alleviation of fear. As man [sic] has great power and sense and knowledge.... the mind should be rationalised for its abatement. Thus the problem of fear can be solved... [by] changes in sense and knowledge” (Subba, 2014:331). 28. Ibid., Subba (2014), see his Chpt. 28 “Fearism Dephilosophy” where he wrote: “Eastern philosophy is close to spiritualism, whereas Western philosophy is close to materialism. These philosophies have presented various ways of lives and the world. These philosophies have realised fear yet not felt—what it is. How is it?.... Wherever life exists, no matter how far away it is, still the main road is fear. It is the greatest road. All other paths of life come to join the greatest road. Philosophies might have their respective powerful logic on lives. But the fearism gives new dimension to the logic and interpretations.... Fear is a guide to life and also the greatest orbit of a series of consciousnessnesses.... No other philosophy in the name of fearism existed before” (245). 29. Beyond religiously controlled conservativism politically, he prefers communism [albeit, his own particular meaning of that is unique) as establishment of what he calls "borderless society for a comfortable life" and civilization at a "fearless stage." (Subba, 2014:300-02). 30. Excerpt re: Bikram Bir Thapa, Indian Literary Academy Winner, Shillong, Meghalaya, India, is from "Reviews" on inside front matter of Subba (2014). Three and half pages of endorsements for Subba's book and work clearly show they come from literary scholars and writers. 31. See details in Fisher and Subba (forthcoming:128-29). 32. E.g., see Fisher in Fisher and Subba (forthcoming: 140-47); Fisher takes a "conflict theory" view rather than a more "functionalist" theory view ( the latter, which Subba tends to take). 33. In these publications, two influenced by Fisher's use directly, are very brief uses of the term "fearism" by Kalir (2014), Zembylas (2010), Shirlow and Pain (2003), and White (1997). Kalir (see Ref. #13. above). Shirlow, P., and Pain, R . (2003). The geographies and politics of fear. Capital and Class, 80, 15-26. Zembylas, M. (2010). Agamben's theory of biopower and immigrants/ refugees/asylum-seekers: Discourses of citizenship and the implications for curriculum theorizing. Journal of Curriculum Theorizing, 26(2), 31-45; White, J. K. (1997). Still seeing Red: How the Cold War shapes the new American politics. Boulder, CO: Westview Press. 34. For e.g., on the inside endorsements for Subba (2014), Prof. Dr. Streamlet Dkhar, Khashi Language Department, North East Hills University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India, wrote: "'Fearism is a new concept; it is utilized to keep the cultural dominance and the matrix of superiority intact in a situation of multicultural society for the purpose of wielding abusive power and justifying such acts using other's fear. Identification of the practice of fearism would take us to deeper layers of [the] psychological impact that the victims suffer from." It appears Dr. Dkhar is using both the fearism-t form (Fisher) and more positive Subbaian fearism form together. 35. Fisher and Subba (forthcoming:140).
