X and Not-X
What happens when you’re equally afraid of two contradictory concepts, say X and Not-X. Logically, you cannot choose to have X and not have X at the same time, so they are, in theory, completely separate and non-relatable.
Both of these options present an equal amount of fear. You have to choose only one. Which one do you choose? Do you refuse to choose either?
Well, with any choice, there is usually a default answer. For example, I want to travel to Greece. I can choose to travel to Greece or I can choose not to travel to Greece. A lot of times we suppose the latter isn’t really a choice, but in spite of its default status (I’m not in Greece, so therefore I am continuing to choose not to visit Greece), it is a passive choice made in the mind. Even considering the passivity used in making the decision, it still causes an action in my life.
So back to my question…what do you choose if each option is equally perplexing?
I think you choose the one where you currently are. Or at least you choose whichever is closer to your current position. Fear breeds more fear and leads to an inability to change, therefore if you are afraid of X and Not-X, you will likely choose Not-X because you have not actively decided to choose X.
Why is this? I’m not sure what causes this complacency and fear, but I would wager that everyone suffers from this to a certain degree. These topics aren’t the standard fodder of friendly conversation, but I do watch decisions from afar and perhaps assume that they are made because of such fears. And like all things in life, I suffer from this like the rest.