Exploring Human Desire for Transcendence and Fear of Mortality

16min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

The chapter delves into the conflicting desires humans have for transcendence and the fear of mortality, discussing how these opposing aspects can lead to hero projects and denial of death. Various solutions to address these aspects are explored, drawing on concepts from Otto Rank, Freud, and William James, while also critiquing the emphasis on scientific research that may overlook essential aspects of human behavior and attraction towards authoritarians.

David and Tamler conclude their discussion of Ernest Becker’s The Denial of Death. We talk about Becker’s philosophy of science (does he have one?), his sweeping explanations for strongman leaders, neuroses, mental illness, sexual fetishes, and the refreshing absence of an answer or resolution to the existential paradox at the heart of being human. Plus, a special Pod Save the Wizards intro - we have a political gabfest about Biden, the infamous debate, Kamala Harris, and more…

The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker [amazon.com affiliate link]

The Denial of Death [wikipedia.org]

Let us know where we should hold our 300th episode listener meet-up [surveymonkey.com]