#117 – Sheldon Solomon: Death and Meaning

29 snips

Aug 20, 2020

In this conversation, Sheldon Solomon, a social psychologist and co-developer of Terror Management Theory, delves into the profound role of death in shaping human behavior and society. He discusses how confronting mortality can lead to personal growth and authenticity, highlighting philosophical insights from Kierkegaard and Heidegger. The dialogue also touches on the impact of culture on our understanding of death, the interplay between religion and existential anxiety, and intriguing ideas about emotional AI and its relationship with human experiences.

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INSIGHT

Death as a Motivator

The human awareness of death and our unwillingness to accept it drives most human actions.
This fear of death is at the core of our being, influencing our motivations and behaviors.

ANECDOTE

Solomon's Early Encounter with Mortality

Sheldon Solomon's interest in death's role began with a quote by Alexander Smith: "It is our knowledge that we have to die that makes us human."
This resonated with Solomon's childhood experience of his grandmother's death and his first existential crisis at age eight.

INSIGHT

Becker's Influence

Ernest Becker, author of The Denial of Death, argued that the terror of death shapes human behavior.
Solomon found Becker's combination of evolutionary and psychodynamic perspectives compelling.

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