Our need for security defeats us. Fear is the basis of that need. Fear is the basis of our decision-making and therefore our functioning. Hence, the title. Our basic fear is so frightening that we mostly keep it buried even from ourselves. Our emotions dominate our intellect. This insight attempts to explain our fear and thus liberate us. However, if it as easy it would have been accomplished long ago-opening and reducing our defensiveness is our most difficult endeavour. Paradoxically, our attempted prejudicial effort at self-protection is stifling and self-defeating.