"Fearism", The Philosophy Coined by Desh Subba

Desh Subba is a prominent philosopher with a high intellectuality. He is internationally famous for his “Fearism”, a philosophy that he coined, describes the importance of fear in our daily life. His philosophy “fearism” has aroused interests of thousand of reader to know what the fearism is and its significance in different social settings.  He has written several books on the philosophy “fearism “. Subba is noble and very friendly. He describes complex terminologies, related with fearism so simply that readers can easily understand. 

A Few weeks ago, I met him in a literary program organized by the Bhutanese community in Irving, Texas, US.  Subba was invited in that program as a chief guest. In my meeting, I requested him for an interview and he kindly accepted it. Here is his interview. 

What is fear?

Fear is a kind of consciousness, it comes after knowledge.  In Fearism, there is formula: life-conscious-knowledge-fear.  Some people use as synonyms of consciousness. In fearism, I say, consciousness and knowledge differs. Knowledge cannot be without consciousness but conscious can be without knowledge. Zika Virus was within us from long time. We did not have knowledge of it. When we start to know, meantime we start to fear. In east we believe of nine tastes among it is one kind. Taste theory is developed by Acharya Bharat. Some believe fear as human temperament.

 

What is fearism per your view?

Fearism is a philosophy which deeply and widely explains fear. Fearism thinks fear is central of human activities and development. It has quotation “life is conducted, directed and controlled by fear.” Fear is normal, when it change into fearism it looks fear universe.

How will you differentiate between the fear and the fearism?

Fear is normal/simple as used since ancient time. It is not developed by us (Michael Fisher and Desh Subba). Fear does not look steps of effect. They used as negative/harmful factor. Fearism is invented by us (Michael Fisher and Desh Subba). It is a philosophy. It is a tool which helps us to dephilosophy previous philosophies.   

How the fear/fears has/have shape our lives?

Fear is very useful in every steps in our daily life. It starts from wake up to sleep, birth to death. When we wake up in the morning we fear to be late to go to work. Fear is everywhere in human life. If we don’t fear of rules and regulations, culture, society we cannot control family, society and country. Fear is the main factor to hold us. It does not mean that controls our freedom. Fear of law, court, and police means control our self. If there is no power to create fear we cannot maintain law and order. To keep happier and successful life, every society must need positive fear. Fear is a creator, developer and protector. It has many definitions. Civilizations are based upon fear, like invention of stone- weapons, caves, and worship of nature (or god).

What is/are the significance of fear/fears in our daily lives?

Fear is very important in our life. We don’t afraid for only this world, we also afraid of hell/heaven too. Nobody wants to go to hell. Fear of going hell, we used to pray. We know what happens if our students are not feared of examination. Similarly, if drivers, pilots, captains not feared of accident, there must be accidents. More or less, both amount of fear is harmful. We need to keep moderate fear for success in any social setting. We are driving our life and country. If we don’t keep necessary fear, result will be worse.  

What are the negative and positive fears per your view?

In fact there is no negative and positive fear. Fear is same. Only it differs in understanding and utilization. Murders, kidnappers, violence creators, terrorists, thieves, corrupt people are misusing fear. Nowadays we have many depression, mental disorder, Schizophrenia patients. Some of them are taking fear negatively. Many people commit suicides due to negative fear they carry. Who takes fear in positive way; they will have prosperity, happy and joyful life.  

How can we minimize the negative fears and maximize the positive fears in a social set up to live the better and peaceful lives?

It depends on source of fear. There are many sources to create fear in our mind. Some of them can be minimized, some can be stopped and some keep continue. Mostly, negative and harmful fear must be reduced; otherwise it changes into mass destruction. Positive fear need to keep continue. Fear started from doubt, conspiracy, illusion, lie, blame can be minimized. These considered as negative fears.

Are the leaders (political/social/religious/opinion etc.), using different kinds of fears to fears us and achieve their selfish goals?

Yes, right, leaders (political/social/religious/opinion etc.) are using different kinds of fears to fear us and achieve their selfish goals. In post modernism, there some critics by Michael Foucault-discourse, Antonio Gramsci – Hegemony and Louis Althusser-Ideology. These thinkers clearly showed this kinds picture. In practical, it happens in all society.  Political, social, cultural, religious fear shows to marginal’s, famines, subalterns, transgender and colonial countries. They always exploit by showing fear to achieve their selfish goal. Still there are some remnants of such character in our country. Without using such fear no people stay calm.

Are people in the developing countries living in many fears than people in developed countries? Example: people in developing countries fear about social symbol, social status, dauri, expenses in wedding etc.

Overall I said developed countries have more fear than developing countries. It is in our book “Philosophy of Fearism- A first east west dialogue.” Once Dr. R. Michael Fisher asked me this question, According to formula, it is life-consciousness-knowledge-fear. It says more knowledge has more fear. It traced back from ancient civilization to now. But in developing society like Nepal, India, Bangladesh still there are some traditional and superstition based culture. This culture was established by higher class and male dominated mentally. There is major role of cultural fear. Cultural fear is basically explained by Dr. R, Michael Fisher.

What are new thing you have included in Fearism?

According to my understanding there are many new things which we never read them before, because this concept (fearism) was not coined. When Fearism came in this world, then we started to see it with a new perspective. New perspective with powerful logic surely shows new world and universe. Concept of dephilosophy, meaning verse meaning, fear patient (feariatrict), treatment centre ( Fear cure Hospital) and fear doctor (feariatrist) these are first time introducing. It before such concept was not using by anybody.   

Do you want to say something to our readers?

Fearism is a new philosophy. It is in beginning stage. We can see our world, universe, studies, philosophies and life through this new philosophy we (Subba and Fisher) described. There are lots of new space for writing, critics, philosophy and medical sector. If some of we try to do work, on it, it will give us a new height to see human behavior.

Bishwa Raj Adhikari

Interviewed by Bishwa R Adhikari

Friday, December 16, 2016