Overcoming Fear in a Society: Navigating Power, Reason, and Survival
"I’m scared of the world. I think people are cruel and going out anywhere only terrifies me. I’m stuck in life and I don’t know how to live a normal life. How do I get over this?"
These sentiments are all too common, stemming from a society where individuals are often socialised to conform to societal standards. While this may sound like an individual experience, it is a phenomenon shared by many.
Understanding Socialisation and Society
The concept of socialisation is defined as making someone behave in a way that is acceptable to their society. Society, in turn, is understood as an aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community. This means that individuals are taught to behave in ways deemed acceptable by the larger group, fundamentally shaping their ability to navigate the world.
The most important aspect of life is often viewed through the lens of societal acceptance. This is influenced by those who wield the most influence within the group. The underlying concept that answers many of our questions is power. Power is the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events.
Power: A Survival Mechanism
Power is crucial for survival, a concept that applies to all living creatures. For simple organisms like plants, their power lies in their ability to grow roots, leaves, and absorb nutrients. For animals like antelopes, their power lies in their ability to run and avoid predators. Similarly, humans possess the power to reason, making decisions based on logic and understanding the world around us.
Humans, however, have a unique reasoning ability. Unlike animals that react instinctively, humans can adapt and innovate. This reasoning ability is what separates humans from the natural world, providing us with the ability to respond to challenges and navigate complex environments.
Socialisation and Its Impact
When socialisation fails to recognize and nurture individual reasoning, it can lead to a loss of power and the capacity to make informed decisions. Society often places individuals in a position where they must conform to certain norms, suppressing the ability to build their own pathways to survival like crafting a poison-tipped bow.
When individuals have no clear indication of how to use their reasoning power, it leads to a heightened state of fear. This fear is a direct result of uncertainty and the inability to differentiate between threats and opportunities. In such a scenario, the default reaction is often one of fear, as seen in the question: 'I don’t know how to live a normal life.'
Rational vs. Irrational Power
The distinction between rational and irrational power is fundamental in understanding human interactions and societal structures. Rational power is the use of one's reasoning ability to create and consume values that enhance personal and collective survival, whereas irrational power involves the use of force or fraud to exploit the creations of others.
When societal structures predominantly value irrational power, individuals are more likely to surrender their reasoning abilities to authority. Conversely, when rational power is dominant, individuals are encouraged to build their own tools and solutions, fostering a sense of independence and security.
Concluding Thoughts
Human potential lies in the magnificent reasoning mind, capable of creating beauty and tools that allow us to navigate the world with purpose and confidence. However, when this potential is squashed through socialisation that prioritises conformity over individual reasoning, it leads to a diminished sense of self and security.
Moving forward, one must learn to discern between rational and irrational power. This involves recognizing the value of personal reasoning and decision-making. By doing so, individuals can reclaim their power and build their own tools, much like the bow that once represented survival and empowerment.
In conclusion, the human reasoning mind is one of our most powerful assets. By acknowledging and nurturing this ability, we can overcome fear and live fuller, more meaningful lives.