The Philosophy of Fear

In the safest era in history, why is fear more pervasive than ever?

★Highly recommended by The Guardian (UK)★

A liberating work by contemporary Norwegian philosopher Lars Svendsen, confronting immense and invisible threats

Our fear is a byproduct of luxury—

"We should fear fear itself, as it damages too many truly important things in our lives."

Surveillance cameras. Airport security. Barred windows. Every day we see concrete manifestations of fear in society. News reports of the latest domestic dangers or elevated terror threat levels constantly stir our sense of "impending doom"...

☆A book of hope that transcends social fear, clarifies real risks, and optimistically believes in the future☆

Fear is a powerful emotion. Contemporary Norwegian philosopher Lars Svendsen begins by analyzing, from a neurobiological perspective, how fear dominates our "fight or flight" instincts. He then explores the paradoxical nature of fear in entertainment, such as horror films and extreme sports. Following this, he examines how the culture of fear and the sensationalism of mass media highly erode interpersonal trust, forming a "risk society." Finally, he turns to the political and social spheres, discussing the role fear plays in the philosophies of Machiavelli and Hobbes, and in the war on terror, step by step delving into these questions:

Why do we seek thrills yet avoid fear?

Does the culture of fear stem from instinct or political media?

What are the similarities and differences between anxiety and fear?

Is risk awareness a trend or a real necessity?

Things to fear have always existed, reminding us of the meaning of life. But the book ultimately asks: when fear becomes continuous, a tool of manipulation and a social atmosphere, infringing upon the most important freedom of being human, can we escape it, and how can we replace fear with hope—