Fantasy

[ZenRaiden]

Why did fantasy evolve. I found that fantasy is very interesting thing since it can make up things that do not exist. It can extend the world we do not have. In fact in some cases it can make us feel in ways that normaly would never make us feel.
Anyhow I think fantasy is also dangerous since its so evolved it can consume whole being and a person can get trapped in fantasy world and not experience the true world. On other hand if fantasy is better than true world it can form a barrier or protection to a fragile being. I am pretty much interrested in what do you think of fantasy and how do you use it if at all.

Many INTPs here mentioned that they make up fantasy worlds. What could possibly motivate us? Maybe even animals have it?

 

[paradoxparadigm7]

On a basic level, fantasy is preparation for possibilities. That has survival value. Children pretend play and get lost in fantasy as a way to try on different roles in preparation for life. Fantasy can also be used to ease the tedium and boredom of life. Personally, my own fantasies are most often used when I'm bored. But being an idealist, many of my fantasies are about my vision of personal ideals. It's fun to get lost in it but reality is so much better when it resembles my ideals. I'm not sure if fantasy for the rationals are used differently?

You make some good points about fantasy as a barrier and protection to harsh truths/reality but I don't think people tend to get trapped (with no way out) in their fantasy world. It can become dysfunctional if you habitually retreat to fantasy as a way to avoid.

 

[ZenRaiden]

I'm not sure if fantasy for the rationals are used differently?

Not sure either. I think there are too many ways a person can use fantasy to generalize.