"The fear of life is the favorite disease of the 20th century"

William Lyon Phelps' quote, "The fear of life is the favorite disease of the 20th century", shows a profound observation about the psychological and cultural environment of that period. This statement encapsulates an understanding that, despite unprecedented improvements in technology, science, and total quality of life, individuals of the 20th century were often pestered by existential stress and anxieties and uncertainties about the future.

To start with, the "fear of life" can be interpreted as a broad spectrum of anxieties that manifest themselves in people's lives. This fear could originate from rapid modifications in society, such as industrialization, urbanization, and the consequences of two World Wars, all of which fundamentally modified the way people lived and thought. The century saw huge shifts in traditional social structures and values, leading many individuals to experience feelings of alienation and loss of meaning in a significantly complex world.

Additionally, the 20th century witnessed significant developments in psychology and a deeper understanding of psychological health, which paradoxically might have made people more familiar with their anxieties however not necessarily more equipped to manage them. The philosophical movements of the time, like existentialism, recorded the zeitgeist of a world where individuals felt disconnected from standard sources of significance and authority, even more fueling this "illness.".

Additionally, the fast speed of technological improvement developed a future that seemed both appealing and scary. This dichotomy added to a general stress and anxiety about the sustainability of progress and the potential dehumanization in the face of devices and automation. The nuclear age likewise introduced an universal undercurrent of fear about the annihilation of life itself.

In amount, Phelps' statement is a commentary on how modern-day life, with all its improvements and intricacies, can foster a hidden worry of the extremely essence of living. It highlights a paradox where progress leads not simply to concrete enhancements but also reflects an enduring human vulnerability to worries about existence and the unknown.