Why we are Afraid of Darkness ?

Question

I seems to be afraid while walking in dark streets alone.

Answer 1

We have genetic memory of the feeding patterns of giant predators, such as sabre-tooth tigers, that long ago, over 8000 years ago, used to come into our camps at night and bite horribly into one of us and carry us away screaming. Up to 7 out of 11 children in our clans back then were taken away at night and eaten by large cats. We remember that nightmare of so long ago and we have deep fear of what might prowl in the dark.
Click on this link to see a picture of one of those cats: (These cats were huge, over eight-nine feet tall. Click on image to enlarge and see the details better)
http://ivorybill.com/ca/images/8d.jpg

Answer 2

A fear of darkness is a real fear. This fear denotes or equates to the fear of the unknown. You are open to a lot of fears. Walking in dark streets alone would make you feel vulnerable to attacks by other human beings; such as muggers, criminals such as rapists and killers; animals, such as dogs,and ghosts, probably. You might be afraid of missing a step and falling over or tripping on some obstacles.

Because of the lack of vision and thus perception; the mind imagines a lot of potential fears and dangers. To be blind is to exist in a world of darkness. There's a saying, that " it's better to light a candle rather than curse the darkness." Darkness connotes evil whereas light means good .

Another reason for fear of darkness is the saying that "death comes like a thief in the night." So we fear death; as darkness is associated with nights and hopelessness. Light is associated with brightness and daylight.and hope for a brighter tomorrow.

So walking in the dark streets alone is not a very pleasant feeling.

Answer 3

It's normal people being afraid of the unknowing. In the dark, we can't see things and have no idea about what is there, making us to feel more vulnerable and an easy target. We can't effetely protect ourselves of the dangers, since we are not aware of the danger itself, because we can't see it.
In a dark street, you can't see what kind of people are sharing the same space with you, you can't see well the directions of the cars, therefore, you are more expose to dangers than in iluminated street.

Answer 4

Probably because of things you've seen on T.V. Maybe you've seen some horror movie where the main character gets torn apart by zombies in the middle of nowhere. Or maybe you saw a show on the Discovery Channel about spirits and ghosts, and you think there's one out to get you.

Answer 5

I think it's natural, humans are not nocturnal and so we would normally be sleeping in darkness. Back in the cavemen days there would have been preditors prowling around and because our eyesight is so poor at night time we aren't very good at navigating around.

Answer 6

We are blinded by what is truly out there. In the daytime we can see, but we are vulnerable alone in a darkened alley.

Answer 7

Reduced vision, could trip on something, step in something, someone could be hiding out in the open but it dark so you don't see...

Answer 8

Because our eyes will search any one for help. But even it cannot able to find its own source.!!!!

Answer 9

because you watch too much scary movies

Answer 10

darkness is something we have no control over...what we cant control we fear...