Illusion and Reality
David Smail
1997
David Smail's "Illusion and Reality" argues that our subjective experience of anxiety and distress is fundamentally shaped by social and cultural illusions, rather than solely by individual psychology. He posits that societal pressures and the pervasive belief in unattainable ideals create a "second reality" that generates internal conflict and suffering. By deconstructing these illusions, Smail suggests a path towards a more authentic and less anxious existence.