Critchley Fear and Anxiety

     In the article, “To Philosophize Is to Learn How to Die” Critchley conveys this strong message that anxiety is not caused by a particular object, rather it is the view that society withdrawals from it. Critchley then illustrates that as a society we are in a time of unease because of this pandemic affecting millions of people, possibly even loved ones. From my own experience, the pandemic generated a great deal of anxiety since our community has never dealt with this type of adjustment. This intangible feeling differs from fear. Critchley describes fear as, “our reaction to an actual threat in the world”. 

    

Critchley elucidates how the Covid-19 pandemic has formed itself into the normal of today’s society. Despite all the uneasy and uncertainty, Critchley states how there is a deeper meaning behind these anxious times. He believes that this deeper meaning is the fear of death. This pandemic, has brought the fear of death to reality to a virus that is “a disease everywhere and nowhere, imprecisely known and, as yet, untreatable.”


    

Based on Critchley's article, I do believe in his reasoning behind fear and anxiety.  Adapting to the “new normal”, is definitely something none of us were prepared for which definitely caused some sort of anxiety. This pandemic definitely enlightened the fear of death to many and showed how easy things can change.

Comments

  1. Rebecca GilhooleyAugust 28, 2020 at 4:23 PM

    Hi Matt,
    Great job on your blog post! I really agree with everything you mentioned, especially your last paragraph. This pandemic has certainly changed nearly everything in our lives, and brings out anxiety many of us did not know we had. Hopefully we all grow from this experience and do not take life for granted anymore.
    Rebecca

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dr. NoraSeptember 1, 2020 at 8:42 AM

    Hi Matt, I didn't see your answers to a few of the blog prompt questions: What does Critchley argue is the role of philosophy? How does this apply to the pandemic? Do you agree with Critchley [about the role of philosophy, especially in the pandemic]? Why or why not?

    ReplyDelete

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