The Myth of Fearlessness

We often describe an exceptionally courageous person with one sentence:

“He was absolutely fearless.”

We mean it as one of the highest compliments we can give.

But there is a problem.

If taken literally, fearlessness may not be a virtue at all.

In certain circumstances, the inability to experience appropriate fear may actually be a shortcoming. Fear is part of the human protective system. It alerts us to danger, forces us to consider consequences, encourages preparation and restrains reckless behaviour.

The real virtue, therefore, is not necessarily that a person does not feel fear.