A New Question To Ponder

[moe.ron]

Is Fear intrinsic or extrinsic an emotion?

[preciousjeni]

Huh? How could it possibly be extrinsic when it clearly originates from within. It's a natural reaction to a bad situation that should (though we like to ignore our instinctual responses) cause us to avoid the danger.

[Tippiechick]

Jeni,

I think, perhaps, that he is questioning whether fear is extrinsic in that some outside force or thing stimulates the emotion of fear or whether it is intrinsic in that it is a natural, inborn instinct that is there from the start and we experience fear as a reaction to something inadequate about ourselves that allows the emotion to manifest itself.

But, I could be wrong.

I think it's both but could never be only one or the other. I think it is an intrinsic emotion that sees the light of day when an extrinsic thing or force causes us to question ourselves and our capability to overcome it. Without the extrinsic force, we would never experience fear. SOMETHING causes us to react: society, sickness, large crowds, etc.

[preciousjeni]

Originally posted by Tippiechick
Jeni,

I think, perhaps, that he is questioning whether fear is extrinsic in that some outside force or thing stimulates the emotion of fear or whether it is intrinsic in that it is a natural, inborn instinct that is there from the start and we experience fear as a reaction to something inadequate about ourselves that allows the emotion to manifest itself.

But, I could be wrong.

I think it's both but could never be only one or the other. I think it is an intrinsic emotion that sees the light of day when an extrinsic thing or force causes us to question ourselves and our capability to overcome it. Without the extrinsic force, we would never experience fear. SOMETHING causes us to react: society, sickness, large crowds, etc.

Points well taken! But, fear itself is not extrinsic, if an additional outside force causes the reaction. That's another force, not fear. It would seem to me that fear is innate and internalized, but it needs a catalyst to be expressed.

[Tippiechick]

"It would seem to me that fear is innate and internalized, but it needs a catalyst to be expressed." -- Jeni


That was what I meant. Guess I didn't say it clearly enough