FROM ANXIETY TO ATARAXIA

Abstract

Our analysis starts from the premise that anxiety is a philosophical concept, not merely a research topic for psychology, not being reducible only to anxiety neurosis. Thus, we propose the philosophical research of this particularly deep concept requiring a complex approach due to its metaphysical origin and its link to the spirit, to he human being's basic structure. It is also the reason why we appreciate that the solution to the problem of anxiety is eminently spiritual, more specifically, it resides in the ‘awakening of the spirit’. A truly free spirit, even if dominated by metaphysical anxieties, cannot lock itself into destructive anxiety. In my opinion, metaphysical anxiety cannot be confused with depression, it cannot be treated with anti-depressants. Did man not have turmoil, metaphysical anxieties, he could not claim to participate in culture. Only the one who goes through metaphysical anxiety can attain the state of ataraxia.