Personal Fear and Beliefs - Essay Example

This shows me to have strong moral and ethical beliefs.  It is possibly this which makes me unafraid of punishment after death.

            My choices also show that I have trust, hope, and faith.  These are evidenced in my not fearing death to be the end of feeling and thinking, nor of taking a long time to die or of losing control of what is being done to my body.  I trust those who would be caring for me, be they loved ones or medical professionals to do the best for me.  I  have hope that something might turn up. 

There is almost a personal value here of 'where there is life, there is hope' in these particular themes.                                                                                                                        

            I recognize that some answers show a cluster of fear of the unknown, being afraid of nothingness, the end of everything, and of dying because I do not know what happens next.  My fear of pain also emerges via the responses to the pain of dying or dying suddenly and violently.  Finally, I fear dying alone. 

Contributions from Upbringing: These results highlight the love, care, and attention I received in my upbringing.  That though there may not have been overtly religious influences, a strong moral and ethical code has been instilled, more humanist in belief than religion-driven.  I was taught to care about other people, not to let them down, and to expect the same in return.  In fearing the unknown, the possible end to everything, suggests that Heaven and Hell were not concepts that figured largely in my childhood.  Love, loyalty, and kindness are the prime factors that have helped to form my adult views and values.  Pain is something I must have experienced either in myself or a loved one, as the results suggest I really fear it.  Overall, I am more optimistic than pessimistic, positive rather than negative.

Contribution from Personal Culture: With regard to this, although I believe myself to be well-equipped to handle life, I perceive that today the human being is driven to find out more, to own all the knowledge available out there.  It is as if the idea of 'anybody can do/be/have/ anything' is the leading factor of living.  Fear and frustration emerge when that which cannot be known is presented to me.  Then, I am afraid of being powerless in the face of that unknowable, the nothingness which might exist.  Also, we have such faith in science, that it will prolong life and provide all the answers, helping to take away the pain of living and dying.  There seems to me to be a sort of odd contradiction here, being both hope and fear together.

Personal Beliefs and Attitudes:  Carrying out the survey and analysis has been valuable and enlightening for me.  It has helped me to recognize and address my fears.  I now understand that people, loving-kindness, and loyalty are the most important elements, my integral values.  The fear of dying alone or in pain is quite revealing, as I am not a fearful person where living is concerned.  I see that I have no great belief in an after-life, that living this life as a good person is what I want to do and value most.  My optimism and hope may help me overcome my fears.

            Intellectually, I accept that death is an inevitable part of living.  It is always a lonely journey, and where it ends cannot be known.  I accept that no matter how many loved ones are with me, I will go on that journey by myself.  Maybe I will think of that old cliché, 'There's nothing to fear but fear itself' and hope and trust that I will feel no pain.  I might even find something wonderful when I pass on.  My fear of this unknown also suggests that I have an inquiring mind, I am a seeker after knowledge and truth.  With death and dying, I am not able to have the answers just yet.  I hope they will be a long time coming.