To Be and To Participate

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Considered from the ethical point of view,

courage in a man is a sign of his caring for something enough to decide

and to act despite opposition ;

considered in terms of its effect on his being -ontologically-,

courage is the self-affirmation of one's being.

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These points of view are united in the conception of courage as

the self-affirmation of one's being in the presence of the threat of nonbeing ;

anxiety in the felt awareness of the threat of nonbeing,

and courage is the resolute opposition to the threat in such a manner

that being is affirmed.

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Three types of ANXIETY :

a.ontic,

b.moral,and

c.spiritual

-the anxiety of FATE and DEATH,

of GUILT and CONDEMNATION,

of EMPTINESS and MEANINGLESSNESS-

are present in all cultural ages,

but SPIRITUAL ANXIETY is predominant in the modern period.

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EXISTENTIAL ANXIETY cannot be removed ;

it can be faced only by those who have the courage TO BE.

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The courage TO BE involves the courage to PARTICIPATE,

TO BE ONESELF,

and to unite the two by absolute faith in the God above God,

''BEING-ITSELF''.

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