He tried to decide if he was really ashamed of being afraid, and decided that he was not. Fear was there for a purpose. It was wired into any creature that had not completely turned its back on its evolutionary inheritance and so remade itself in whatever image it coveted. The more sophisticated you became, the less you relied on fear and pain to keep you alive; you could afford to ignore them because you had other means of coping with the consequences if things went badly.
The character reflects on his fear, contemplating whether he should feel ashamed of it. Ultimately, he realizes that fear serves an important purpose, as it is an innate response developed through evolution. This instinct is essential for survival in a world where danger exists, highlighting that fear is a fundamental aspect of being alive.
As individuals evolve and gain sophistication, their reliance on fear and pain diminishes. They learn to cope with challenges through means other than instinctual reactions. This evolution allows them to face adversity without being solely dependent on fear, showcasing a more complex approach to handling life's uncertainties.