It is said that man is a rational being. So, if man is a rational being, and being rational would mean the ability to have reason, could fear of the unknown be then be diminished, if not eliminated? I ask so, because fear is caused by an unexpected danger, of which reason is usually unknown. Often, it results in unpleasant emotion. If fear is caused by what is not known, and man experiences fear, could it be said then that man is not a rational being? I think not. If it is not, is my definition of what is rational then become incomplete or untrue? Because if man, being rational, could make calculations like in a chessboard, then fear could perhaps be diminished.

However, not only is man a rational being. Man is also, and more so, an emotional being. Which would justify his fear, intuition and gut feel. Which explains why people love and hate sometimes without any reason. And if reason is overcome by fear, that may well be a definite cause for paranoia.

Ironic. For even though man, in his increasing knowledge in technology and science, would always return and rely on his emotion in making decisions, even if it is most often unsubstantiated by facts.

However, this may not be a weakness at all. It could as well be a strength. For how often has it been that when the evil of genius abounds, that the emotional man joins together in the guise of peace, love and kindness? How often is it that reason, in defense of truth and justice is overcome by mercy, in appeal to the emotion?