The Walker at the Precipice

Being and Nothingness

This character thread traces how a threatened walker discovers that fear of falling differs from anguish about freely leaping.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Dangerous Path The Dangerous Path from "Being and Nothingness". The Dangerous Path A Threat from Outside A narrow path runs beside a precipice. Slipping stones and gravity appear as objective dangers to the walker.

The Dangerous Path from "Being and Nothingness". The Dangerous Path A Threat from Outside A narrow path runs beside a precipice. Slipping stones and gravity appear as objective dangers to the walker.

The Dangerous Path A Threat from Outside A narrow path runs beside a precipice. Slipping stones and gravity appear as objective dangers to the walker. Fear The walker first experiences himself as a vulnerable object among objects, exposed to forces that may destroy him.

The Guarded Edge The Guarded Edge from "Being and Nothingness". The Guarded Edge Practical Response The walker watches the stones and moves away from the edge.

The Guarded Edge from "Being and Nothingness". The Guarded Edge Practical Response The walker watches the stones and moves away from the edge.

The Guarded Edge Practical Response The walker watches the stones and moves away from the edge. He substitutes planned conduct for an immediate sense of danger. New Focus The question shifts from what the world might do to him toward what he may choose to do in the situation.

Anguish Before the Self Anguish Before the Self from "Being and Nothingness". Anguish Before the Self Possible Conduct The walker is not anguished merely by the possibility of falling.

Anguish Before the Self from "Being and Nothingness". Anguish Before the Self Possible Conduct The walker is not anguished merely by the possibility of falling.

Anguish Before the Self Possible Conduct The walker is not anguished merely by the possibility of falling. He is anguished by the possibility of throwing himself into the abyss. Freedom No motive or instinct can make his next act inevitable. Anguish reveals that he must be his own future without being able to guarantee it.

The Opposite Possibility The Opposite Possibility from "Being and Nothingness". The Opposite Possibility Rejected Futures Saving himself is one possibility, but running or leaping remains possible as well.

The Opposite Possibility from "Being and Nothingness". The Opposite Possibility Rejected Futures Saving himself is one possibility, but running or leaping remains possible as well.

The Opposite Possibility Rejected Futures Saving himself is one possibility, but running or leaping remains possible as well. The excluded options cannot be erased by a rational plan. Inward Conflict The walker sustains the preferred course only by nihilating alternatives. His freedom is experienced as a threat within the situation.

Withdrawal from the Brink Withdrawal from the Brink from "Being and Nothingness". Withdrawal from the Brink Decision A counter-anguish arises as the walker confronts the possibility of leaping.

Withdrawal from the Brink from "Being and Nothingness". Withdrawal from the Brink Decision A counter-anguish arises as the walker confronts the possibility of leaping.

Withdrawal from the Brink Decision A counter-anguish arises as the walker confronts the possibility of leaping. He abruptly distances himself from the edge and resumes the path. No Resolution The act ends the immediate crisis but does not abolish freedom. The next situation will again require him to choose himself.

Part One, Chapter One, Section V, opening of the example

Part One, Chapter One, Section V, after the first fear

Part One, Chapter One, Section V, analysis of vertigo

Part One, Chapter One, Section V, at the height of vertigo

Part One, Chapter One, Section V, end of the example