Friday, 8 October 2010
Morning Scepticism: Spiders
I have a fear of spiders, can't stand the creatures. Even when I know they're harmless or behind glass they still make me incredibly uncomfortable. Even looking at pictures puts me on edge. Despite knowing that there's no real danger, I still can't shake off the phobia. Yet it doesn't mean that from my phobia I conclude there really is something to fear about spiders, that my knowledge is insufficient to validate my intuitions. The reaction shouldn't be a triumph over reason.
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1 comment:
I have a much milder form of that fear. I don't like them running around or hanging over me.
I wonder how much is learned and how much inherent. Chimpanzees are said to have an instinctive fear of snakes, and one of my cats jumped away in alarm when I tossed a belt near her. It might have looked like a snake.
Do chimps have a fear of spiders? Do you remember anyone around you reacting to them (other kids?)?
P.S. I've added you to my blogroll.
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