The phrase refers back to the second when a person confronts profound darkness, whether or not existential, ethical, or psychological. It signifies an encounter with nihilism, evil, or the inherent meaninglessness of existence. A fictional detective, for example, would possibly discover themself considering the character of depravity whereas investigating a collection of ugly crimes, going through the potential for that darkness to devour them.
The importance of grappling with such profound ideas lies within the potential for private progress and the event of a extra nuanced worldview. All through historical past, philosophers, writers, and artists have explored these themes to problem typical knowledge, provoke introspection, and supply insights into the human situation. A deeper understanding of probably harmful forces might help people navigate complicated ethical dilemmas and domesticate resilience.