In a recent New York Times article, author and philosopher Simon Critchley discusses the value of philosophy, and its relation to anxiety and fear caused by the current pandemic. Critchley characterizes anxiety by first establishing that the mental state has no specific reason for occurring. This is contrasted with fear, which has a direct cause for concern, such as a person who is afraid of bears encountering one. Anxiety also feels different than fear. Anxiety is more of a feeling of uncertainty, while fear is terror. Whether fear or anxiety, Critchley believes that harnessing these issues can lead humans to become stronger beings. It is no surprise then that Critchley believes the role of philosophy is to allow individuals to better understand and accept their biggest fears, such as death. He believes that by accepting death as a fact of life, and even embracing...