In these times of worry, it is useful to examine the mechanisms of creation of panics and the means of stopping them, explains the essayist *.
France at the start of 2021 is inhabited by several fears: fear of Covid-19, fear of terrorism, fear of the social and economic consequences of the crisis.
One of the questions that arises is whether these fears can turn into panic.
To read also:
Pierre Vermeren: "The Maghreb, forgotten victim of the Covid"
Throughout its history, France has experienced panic fears on several occasions.
This was the case with the Great Fear of July and August 1789, with the tragic exodus of May-June 1940 and also, to a lesser degree and in parody mode, during the end of the crisis of May 1968.
Fear panic
What makes panic unique?
Thomas Hobbes clearly defined its nature in
The Leviathan
(1651):
“The fear of which we do not perceive the why and the object is called panic terror.
Anyone who experiences such fear always sees the cause in some way;
but the others run away because of the example,
This article is for subscribers only.
You have 84% left to discover.
Subscribe: 1 € the first month
Can be canceled at any time
I ENJOY IT
Already subscribed?
Log in