This is an interesting thread, I think you learn alot about people when they expose their fears and it can be cathartic for them and in the flow of conversation, you can discover things about your own fears that maybe you didn't realise.
I would have to agree that the fear of non existence would play a large part in many peoples fear of death, but I also believe that people fears in life, be they learned or instinctive, have a cumulative effect on their corresponding fear of death. Alot of people are afraid of different things in varying measures depending on the individual, but most people know while they are alive that they can try to manage and adapt if their fears are realised, but this smidgen of hope doesn't exist when people contemplate their own demise.
I think that because the only true reference point we have of the world is through our own perception of it, that it is extremely hard for some people to imagine a world without themselves being in it, and I think they don't even understand how it could be, And people are always afraid of what they don't understand.
As for the conversation about journey vs destination, in my opinion being too concerned with reaching a destinations or a stage in your life that you may never see, is kind of like not being able to see the wood for the trees. And IF reach that ultimate final goal someday, and you might just think to yourself.."OK..NOW WHAT!!??" and you might turn around and realise your whole life has passed you by trying to get to where you were then, and that the thought of achieving/buying/marrying/experiencing something was better than the actual doing of it... (except sex of course lol).
I would have to agree that the fear of non existence would play a large part in many peoples fear of death, but I also believe that people fears in life, be they learned or instinctive, have a cumulative effect on their corresponding fear of death. Alot of people are afraid of different things in varying measures depending on the individual, but most people know while they are alive that they can try to manage and adapt if their fears are realised, but this smidgen of hope doesn't exist when people contemplate their own demise.
I think that because the only true reference point we have of the world is through our own perception of it, that it is extremely hard for some people to imagine a world without themselves being in it, and I think they don't even understand how it could be, And people are always afraid of what they don't understand.
As for the conversation about journey vs destination, in my opinion being too concerned with reaching a destinations or a stage in your life that you may never see, is kind of like not being able to see the wood for the trees. And IF reach that ultimate final goal someday, and you might just think to yourself.."OK..NOW WHAT!!??" and you might turn around and realise your whole life has passed you by trying to get to where you were then, and that the thought of achieving/buying/marrying/experiencing something was better than the actual doing of it... (except sex of course lol).
"When did I realize I was God? Well, I was praying and I suddenly realized I was talking to myself." Peter O'Toole.
