What are humans more terrified of: the unknown or the truth?

[Rogue Proxy]

To most humans, the most atrocious horror in existence is the unknown. I've suspected one of the reasons being that the unknown harbors truths that humans cannot, or will not, acknowledge or comprehend. A few days ago, this question popped into my mind: what are humans more terrified of: the unknown or the truth?

In fact, this question resembles one of the first cryptic messages Noah Maxwell from TribeTwelve receives: "Who is more foolish: the boy that is afraid of the dark or the man that is afraid of the light?"

 

[AQUA]

The unknown by far!

There is a reason there are more news organisations than historical ones and, in general, get taken more seriously.
If historical organisations report on what MIGHT have happened in the past, they get called conspiracy theorists, but when the news does the same (except reporting on the future), they get praised senselessly; most often, its because they select certain things that reinforce their audiences paranoia instead of having a non-bias view, unlike most historians.

Time and time again, the things that happened will happen. It's a part of the eternal recurrence​

 

[onlyanimalsaregood]

The unknown. I'm always for the truth.

 

[AQUA]

The unknown. I'm always for the truth.

Curiosity killed the cat, be careful out there.

 

[motel rooms]

The truth is unknown.

 

[onlyanimalsaregood]

Curiosity killed the cat, be careful out there.

Ahah that was funny. I like that expression and I also like your profile picture. Thank you. Take care of yourself too :)

 

[narval]

I think that both.

The truth can be terrorific if hits an important thing. If affects to the reality itself, my cosmovision, my nucle of personality, my religion, brings out a child abuse or something else... The cognitive dissonance & sensation of your personal values, even your believes, being destroyed... Fuck. It can be terrorific and produce a huge rejection. Much religious/political fanatics & extremists borns as overreaction. (Or other mental dissorders like PTSD)


and about the unknown... Can happen 2 thinhs:
-Afraid of the unknown bringing a hard/terrible truth (fear of the previous point happening)


-AFraid of predators/catastrophes out there in the dark of the night. Perhaps beyond the stars, deep in the sea or maybe civilizations lurking in a 4th dimmensin

 

[Dr Iron Arc]

I think people are far more afraid of the unknown, especially the people who believe in their truth over others. I think there are many people who have their own ideas of the truth and are far from afraid of it nor are they afraid of the real truth because it and their own truths are one and the same.

 

[Rogue Proxy]

Curiosity killed the cat, be careful out there.

The full version of that proverb reads as "Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back."

 

[Nolan96]

"Don't be afraid of the unknown" is just a gimmick to get you to buy the new flavor of poptarts or stick the new music-playing micro-electrocuting dildo up your anus and then congratulate yourself for being really progressive and avant-garde. I don't know which people fear more. I don't know if modern man has very many deep fears. But he's certainly most *annoyed* by people who will give you the honest truth as they see it.

 

[hungry_ghost]

People are hostile to the truth when it contradicts what they believe, or if it's unsavory to their delicate sensibilities.

 

[lofticries]

The truth.

At least with the unknown you can make up whatever bullshit that suits you.

With the truth there is no way around it.

 

[GenesAndEnvironment]

Roughly speaking, we're scared of (real, imagined, implied or mistaken) threats to our genetic interests. They could be true, false, unknown, or known.

 

[freedompass]

To most humans, the most atrocious horror in existence is the unknown. I've suspected one of the reasons being that the unknown harbors truths that humans cannot, or will not, acknowledge or comprehend. A few days ago, this question popped into my mind: what are humans more terrified of: the unknown or the truth?

In fact, this question resembles one of the first cryptic messages Noah Maxwell from TribeTwelve receives: "Who is more foolish: the boy that is afraid of the dark or the man that is afraid of the light?"

I love the profundity of your question and that quote is spot on. For me it's the unknown every time. I don't see the truth as an enemy but I have certainly seen, known and observed many who do. I mean. What's the worst thing I can learn? That those I thought loved me secretly considered me a piece of shit? That would hardly be a surprise at this point and I don't have many feelings left to hurt.

The fear of death and of ctb is primarily a fear of the unknown. Even physical or mental agony at least is familiar. Ctb requires us to consciously and knowingly erase everything we have ever known. Whatever our personal beliefs there is no way of knowing what lies 'beyond'. So yes, it's scary as all hell. This website would have no need to exist if it wasn't.

 

[novem]

The unknown leaves you hope, but the truth does not - you go straight to grief.

 

[Sprite_Geist]

In general: both equally. Human beings fear the unknown because there could be a threat lurking within it - one which they are unprepared for. Humans fear the truth because it threatens to show them the unknown.

 

[lobster salad]

Everything is worrying and stressful. I would rather not think at all, and so the end of consciousness when i die sounds comforting.