

#252
Mentioned in 55 episodes
The Denial of Death
Book • 1973
In 'The Denial of Death', Ernest Becker discusses the psychological and philosophical implications of how people and cultures react to the concept of death.
He argues that human civilization is a defense mechanism against the knowledge of our mortality, and that this denial is a necessary component of functioning in the world.
Becker's work challenges traditional Freudian thought by positing that the primary repression is not sexuality, but rather the awareness of death.
He also explores how this fear of death leads to the creation of 'hero systems' and symbols that help individuals transcend their mortality, and how this can result in violence and conflict when different immortality projects clash.
He argues that human civilization is a defense mechanism against the knowledge of our mortality, and that this denial is a necessary component of functioning in the world.
Becker's work challenges traditional Freudian thought by positing that the primary repression is not sexuality, but rather the awareness of death.
He also explores how this fear of death leads to the creation of 'hero systems' and symbols that help individuals transcend their mortality, and how this can result in violence and conflict when different immortality projects clash.
Mentioned by





















Mentioned in 55 episodes
Recommended by 

as a challenging but rewarding read on the human experience and the denial of death.


Andrew Huberman

4,364 snips
How to Find & Be a Great Romantic Partner | Lori Gottlieb
Mentioned by 

when discussing the human denial of death and its impact on long-term thinking.


Ari Wallach

2,322 snips
Create Your Ideal Future Using Science-Based Protocols | Ari Wallach
Mentioned by 

when discussing the fear of death and its role in human motivation.


Lex Fridman

720 snips
#317 – John Vervaeke: Meaning Crisis, Atheism, Religion & the Search for Wisdom
Mentioned by 

when discussing Liv Burley's video and Ernest Becker's theory on the human motivation to escape the fear of death.


Lex Fridman

647 snips
#358 – Aella: Sex Work, OnlyFans, Porn, Escorting, Dating, and Human Sexuality
Referenced by 

as containing information on time perception as people approach death.


Andrew Huberman

523 snips
Healing From Grief & Loss | Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor
Mentioned by 

in the context of human's fear of mortality.


Lex Fridman

475 snips
#101 – Joscha Bach: Artificial Consciousness and the Nature of Reality
Mentioned by 

in the context of human motivation and the fear of death.


Lex Fridman

351 snips
#282 – David Buss: Sex, Dating, Relationships, and Sex Differences
Referenced by 

when discussing mortality cults.


Charles Hoskinson

311 snips
#215 Charles Hoskinson - Cardano Founder on the Secret DARPA AI Project That Became Siri
Mentioned by 

as an introduction to philosophical anthropology and the creation of meaning.


Stephen West

216 snips
Episode #162 ... The Creation of Meaning - The Denial of Death
Mentioned by 

as an influence on her Failure 101 course.


Theresa MacPhail

179 snips
564. How to Succeed at Failing, Part 4: Extreme Resiliency
Mentioned by 

as a great book on death and its underacknowledged role in shaping civilization.


Lex Fridman

134 snips
#218 – Jaron Lanier: Virtual Reality, Social Media & the Future of Humans and AI
Mentioned by Jordan B. Peterson as a book that explores the human response to death, although he disagrees with some of its conclusions.

130 snips
426. Sex, Death, & Storytelling | Andrew Klavan
Mentioned by 

as a usefully wrong book about death anxiety.


Jordan B Peterson

106 snips
130. Maps of Meaning 2: Marionettes & Individuals (Part 1)
Mentioned by Jordan Peterson when discussing terror management theory and its relation to death anxiety.

102 snips
148. Nietzsche, Dostoevsky, Kierkegaard (Existentialism)
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a book he read in high school that had a profound impact on him.

David Wolpe

73 snips
#270 – David Wolpe: Judaism
Recommended by 

as a book exploring the repercussions of seeking power.


Tai Lopez

63 snips
HARSH TRUTH About Wealth, Power & Happiness: Life Lessons Everybody Learns Too Late | Tai Lopez PT 1
Mentioned by 

in relation to the denial of death.


Lex Fridman

61 snips
#82 – Simon Sinek: Leadership, Hard Work, Optimism and the Infinite Game
Mentioned by 

in the context of a theory about the human conception of death and its impact on our worldview.


Lex Fridman

54 snips
Jeff Hawkins: Thousand Brains Theory of Intelligence
Mentioned by 

as a precursor to Peterson's work, exploring similar themes of the hero's journey and the significance of everyday life.


James Marriott

48 snips
James Marriott on Jordan Peterson
Mentioned by 

as comparable to 'The Hero With a Thousand Faces'.


Tamler Sommers

47 snips
Episode 309: Dissolving Into the One