The Source of our Fears: An Exploration

1:24 - The problem with a narrowly scientific approach
2:49 - The problem with trying to see what we don't want to see
4:19 - Our fear of non-existence
6:08 - Our fear of the unknown
9:00 - Our fear of change & letting go of attachment
10:32 - Our attachment to suffering & misery
12:17 - Our fear of the reality of life & death
15:10 - Soren Kierkegaard's concept of dread
18:48 - Humanity's appetite for destruction
20:43 - Our desire for what we fear: The darkness within ourselves
23:23 - The project of living past our fears
25:12 - Why there's no shame in cowardice
27:18 - My own journey...

[ralphnisell]

Many thanks Eric for your highly competent thoughts and skilled "fear exploration analysis". I am glad I really did inspire you to deep further in this interesting topic. But I am still not really convinced that the "unknown" is more scary than "non existence". To me "the unknown" can at the same time be challenging and interesting and not always frightening. But I agree with you, "non existence" may in certain situation also be a relief (as for Shakespeare´s Hamlet), but the scary part is then how to cope with that Well Eric, I guess you gave me/us some more valuable "fear aspects" to think on here. Anyhow, this challenge is an important part of the life game, and many thanks again for your videos.
Best regards,
Ralph Nisell, Stockholm, Sweden

[joshuaweatherston]

My university lectures never seem to grab my interest as much as yours do. Thanks for making my time in college more bearable!

[cianoregan]

Eric, I can only express my gratitude for the pedagogical brilliance you offer us subscribers. Every time I watch a video I learn valuable wisdom - this process is aided by your passion and clarity as an educator. Thank YOU, Eric.

[NewYork]

Watching this video is a way better than having a whole session of fear therapy. Thanks.

[Petko]

Greetings Prof. Dodson
Glad to see you still with us and sharing your wisdom with the online community. After nearly losing my father to covid and reflecting on that experience, I just wanted to say that I appreciate you and the work that you are doing, thank you.

[johnhamilton]

Professor Dodson, thank you for your laser-like unflinching revelations of the human condition. Buddhism, Stoicism, Camus-ism, Nietzsche-ism...one of my first spiritual understandings was that "truth is one--the wise call it by many names." You generously present truth.

[MsInvisiblelight]

"Take care of your Soul" Thank You

[chicagoiceberg]

Professor Eric Dodson, you are the man! I've been watching your videos for years and have even cited your videos in some of my graduate studies. Just thought I'd finally thank you for your work. THANK YOU!

[myblackaura]

Great to see you again, Professor. I noticed just yesterday that you hadn't uploaded anything in a while. A lot of my philosophical endeavors began with these lectures, so I just want to say thanks. ✌

[docjohnson]

Great to see you again Dr. D.!!! Yet another timely and well presented analysis. I must say that as I get older (prefer to view this as gaining experience), death is brought into more clear focus by the deaths of those around me...as I have had the privilege to know what death looks like and learn that there are many things that are far worse than being dead, my greatest fear is to not "die well"...I love the "spirit that releases the dove" photo...too good...hope you are having fun in retirement!!

[dlloydy]

Great to see you back. I checked back on to your channel several times in recent months to check for updates....was growing concerned to know you were good or if you’d perhaps retired from retirement. Anyway I look forward to more thought provoking content going forward. Hooray for Prof Dodson!

[erketre]

I have anxiety and depression for 20 years now. but I'm not a coward, and I'm not afraid of death. Anxiety is not fear. When I feel fear I feel alive, I have an energy; with anxiety it's the opposite. Fear is better than death, non-existence is better than anxiety.

[Ayesha_]

As i see my grandmother decay and be on the road to death, i find myself confronted by a lot of complicated and socially difficult emotions. I see a lot of avoidance and fear within me and I know it has to do with my own morality and helplessness that i see in that person.

I'm glad i watched this video. I feel better. This was such an important reminder.

I guess the hard thing to say was this- that you know what---- "I am a coward. I am scared seeing this and I don't like this."
I don't find myself able to help in any significant way. And for the life of me i CANNOT sit with this person. Never THAT close anyway. I find myself horrified and disgusted- yes disgusted, witness the degeneration of this person. But i also feel empathy for her that i cannot explain. Instead i run away.

[DouwedeJong]

Explain this to me. How I can sit in my living room and when I see somebody walk on the edge of a high-rise building on TV, that fear engulf me?

Thanks for making the video.

[Brainwave_nx]

One of the toughest exam in india is "Upsc" and a upsc topper who had philosophy as optional subject suggested to watch "Eric dodson "

Love ur video sir !

[jtredinnick]

I’ve been having really bad fear lately and I know what it is, it was when I went trick or treating last year at the age of 14 I’ve been having this fear because I’m afraid that I might be shamed for it one day and not have friends again because of it.

[emy]

I would like to draw a distinction here, I think when we are encountered with danger, that danger awakens our intelligence, but I wouldn't regard that as fear. Fear is like you said our attachment to ourselves (to thought) that we cling onto in every moment and can in the worse case define our path through life. So that being said, is it possible to be completely free of fear? If thought creates fear, all we need to do is not think about it right? lol but of course nothing is more difficult in the world. and I think you're right as we get older we are more aware of our fears (conscious and unconscious). And I won't go into death here, it's too much. but If fear like I proposed earlier is thought, what we fear is the known not the unknown.
Thankyou for that Eric, always so articulate and engaging walk though the most hard to navigate and to comprehend topics.

[XenosbioZ]

Great as always! Though the timestamps are missing the most important one: 17:47 (or 17:57 )

[reganovich]

as Axl Rose also said 'Use your Illusion' use your illusions well folks! Peace from Ireland!!

[AbElsaied]

Happy to see you again. I hope you keep consistent uploads as your content is really thorough and profound. If you could do more about responsibility, becoming doer and taking action like the lectures about sartre I would be grateful. Which resources or books you recommend about that topic?