Aristotle
Marian Russell’s Questions (11-12):
11. What kinds of people are feared?
Aristotle defines fear in a clear way that many can agree with. It is not necessarily not wanting to face things that are “evil”, as Aristotle states, “for men do not fear all evils, for instance, becoming unjust or slow-witted, but only such as involve great pain or destruction, and only if they appear to be not far off but near at hand and threatening” (Chapter 5:1). Thus, anybody who is angry with you and has the power to hurt you is a worthy person to “fear”. For example, people who have power to reveal any of your wrongdoings/crimes and lead to your downfall can incur fear in you, because they can change the whole trajectory of your life (since they have the power of knowledge, so it doesn’t have to be simply a physical threat). Additionally, I agree with Aristotle’s sentiment that, “ for as a rule men do wrong whenever they can” (Chapter 5:8), so if someone does have the capability, a reason, and the right setting/timing, they should be feared. Even those you do or have trusted should be feared if they have the capacity to hurt you in some shape or form, because you never know when one’s intentions or motives can switch. This can also include accomplices in crimes, enemies, and those who are simply stronger than yourself in some capacity. I believe it is good to practice reverence and respect towards those who have power over you, unless they are causing injustice or creating new evils.
Furthermore, Aristotle comments on some characteristics of people you should fear in others. This includes those who are “mild, dissemblers, and thorough rascals; for it is uncertain whether they are on the point of acting, so that one never knows whether they are far from it” (Chapter 5: 11). Therefore, it is not the ones with the big bark you should fear, but rather, those who might have the bigger bite (and if someone is typically mild, it is harder to judge how much damage they can do when push comes to shove).
12. What state of mind is one in when one is afraid, and how is this applicable to writing?
Fear is an expected emotion, because you must know and understand what your threat is in order to be afraid of it. That is why sayings like “ignorance is bliss” exist, as knowledge can lead to one knowing their weaknesses and hence, being in a state of fear because their weaknesses may be taken advantage of. To be afraid, you will know who your threat is, when it could occur, and what things you are afraid of happening. Aristotle further elaborates “fear makes men deliberate, whereas no one deliberates about things that are hopeless” (Chapter 15:14). It is those who have hope who can fear, because if they have no hope, then there is seemingly nothing left for them to lose. Thus, there is nothing to fear. The delusional are those with certain powers, like people with money, wealth, or friends in high places, because they believe they have nothing to fear due to these possessions. However, I believe everyone has some sort of vulnerability, so it is imperative to be aware and knowledgeable of oneself and their peers to be prepared in case something harmful does come one’s way.
Utilizing this state of mind can be helpful in different ways, depending on the motive of the writer. In regards to writing, Aristotle makes the comment that if one wishes to or must make their audience afraid, then “it is necessary to make them think they are likely to suffer, by reminding them that others greater than they have suffered, and showing that their equals are suffering or have suffered, and that at the hands of those from whom they did not expect it, in such a manner and at times when they did not think it likely” (Chapter 5: 15). Essentially, if your objective is to set your audience in a fearful state of mind, then you must bring up reminders of their inferiority and vulnerability through references of others who face similar weaknesses. Types of writing that would use this tactic would likely be persuasive forms. For example, I would want my audience to be afraid of a problem occurring in society to convince them to act against it, such as growing gun violence rates in the area. To persuade my audience, I would probably mention a significant figure like a politician who was shot in the area, and I would bring up a statistic of how many regular citizens have been killed in the past year from guns in the city. Similar to what Aristotle states, you want the audience to believe that BOTH those similar to them and those greater have suffered this crisis, and therefore, they will become afraid and be more likely to act upon it in the way I wish. Aristotle does note also an alliance of fear, confidence, and anger when he states, “for anger inspires confidence, and it is the wrong that we suffer and not that which we inflict upon others that causes anger” (Chapter 5:21). This correlation of emotions can also be manipulated to create actions the writer desires. It is good to invoke fear, create anger at the injustice that has happened to peers and COULD or HAS happened to the audience, and then confidence in one to act.