Lex Fridman Podcast #117 – Sheldon Solomon: Death and Meaning
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.
02:56:51
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.
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.
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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Intro
00:00 • 5min
Understanding Mortality and Human Essence
05:14 • 5min
Consciousness and Mortality
09:49 • 7min
Integrating Perspectives on Human Development
16:52 • 24min
Equality, Marxism, and Human Nature
40:39 • 17min
Contrasting Views on Progress and Collapse
57:32 • 12min
Facing Mortality: A Journey of Understanding
01:09:21 • 28min
Confronting Mortality: Embracing Meaning
01:36:52 • 9min
Faith, Death, and Consciousness
01:46:11 • 18min
The Enigma of Literary Fame
02:03:56 • 4min
Emotional AI: Love, Mortality, and Ethics
02:07:28 • 14min
Navigating Conformity in Academia
02:21:20 • 7min
The Value of In-Person Engagement in Education
02:28:32 • 5min
Education, Service, and Societal Perceptions
02:33:30 • 4min
Exploring Mortality and Meaning
02:37:44 • 16min
Exploring Existential Psychology and Human Condition
02:53:26 • 3min
Dreamthorp
Alexander Smith
Dreamthorp is a charming collection of essays that explore themes of nature, literature, and the human experience.
Written in a rural setting, these essays evoke a sense of tranquility and introspection, offering readers a glimpse into the author's contemplative world.
The book has been praised for its quiet charm and its ability to evoke a sense of connection with the natural world.
Homo aestheticus
Ellen Dissanayake
In 'Homo Aestheticus', Ellen Dissanayake argues that art is central to human evolutionary adaptation and that the aesthetic faculty is a basic psychological component of every human being.
She links art to the origins of religious practices and ceremonies, using examples from diverse cultures to illustrate how art enhances cognitive understanding and communal focus.
Dissanayake posits that making art is a biologically innate need, akin to the need for food or shelter, and that it plays a crucial role in human survival and flourishing.
The Dead
The Dead
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John Huston
Consciousness Regained
Chapters in the Development of Mind
Nicholas Keynes Humphrey
Consciousness Regained discusses the development of consciousness, covering topics such as self-knowledge, aesthetics, religious ecstasy, ghosts, and dreams.
It is based on Humphrey's foundational work in evolutionary psychology, particularly his theory of the social function of intellect.
In the Name of Identity
Amin Maalouf
Dans *In the Name of Identity*, Amin Maalouf analyse la crise d'identité que les Arabes ont connue depuis leur interaction continue avec l'Occident.
Il aborde cette question à travers sa propre expérience en tant que chrétien libanais.
L'ouvrage examine comment l'identité peut être à la fois une source de fierté et de violence, soulignant l'importance de respecter la diversité des identités.
Clock Without Hands
Carson McCullers
Clock Without Hands, published in 1961, is Carson McCullers' final novel.
It delves into the lives of four men in a small Georgia town in 1953, grappling with personal struggles and societal change.
The story intertwines the narratives of J.T.
Malone, a pharmacist facing mortality, Judge Clane, a traditionalist grappling with loss, Sherman Pew, a talented black orphan, and Jester, the Judge's grandson seeking identity.
The birth and death of meaning
Ernest Becker
In 'The Birth and Death of Meaning', Ernest Becker examines how meaning is derived from cultural participation and the symbolic roles we play.
He discusses the paradox of individuality within finitude and how humans cope with existential anxieties through various mechanisms.
The book offers a profound analysis of human psychology and the societal constructs that influence our understanding of self and meaning.
False Dawn
John Gray
John Gray's "False Dawn" is a critical examination of the neoliberal project and its consequences.
Gray challenges the optimistic assumptions underlying neoliberal ideology, arguing that it has led to increased inequality and social fragmentation.
He analyzes the historical context of neoliberalism, tracing its intellectual roots and examining its impact on various societies.
The book offers a pessimistic assessment of the future, suggesting that the neoliberal project is unsustainable and that alternative approaches are needed.
Gray's work has sparked considerable debate among economists and political theorists.
Charter Schools
Charter Schools
Thomas Sowell
Darwin's Cathedral
David Sloan Wilson
In 'Darwin's Cathedral', David Sloan Wilson proposes that religion is a multi-level adaptation that enhances group cooperation and survival.
He examines various religious traditions, arguing that religious behaviors promote group cohesion and altruism.
The book challenges secularization theory by highlighting the adaptive benefits of religion in modern societies.
The worm at the core
Sheldon Solomon
The Worm at the Core, co-authored by Sheldon Solomon, Jeff Greenberg, and Tom Pyszczynski, delves into the profound impact of death anxiety on human actions.
Drawing from extensive research, it reveals how the fear of mortality shapes our pursuit of self-esteem and cultural values, and offers insights into leading more meaningful lives.
The book builds upon terror management theory, which posits that humans cope with death awareness by seeking significance and stability through cultural and personal beliefs.
The ascent of money
A Financial History of the World
Niall Ferguson
In 'The Ascent of Money', Niall Ferguson explores the human story behind the evolution of finance, from the origins of money in ancient Mesopotamia to the latest financial upheavals.
Ferguson argues that finance is the foundation of human progress and reveals financial history as the essential backstory behind all history.
The book covers key financial institutions and concepts, such as the invention of banking, the development of bonds and stock markets, and the role of insurance and real estate.
It also delves into the impact of financial systems on historical events and the recurring theme that every financial bubble eventually bursts.
Why Left and Right Are Both Beside the Point
Why Left and Right Are Both Beside the Point
Sheldon Solomon
Sapiens
A Brief History of Humankind
Yuval Noah Harari
This book surveys the history of humankind from the Stone Age to the 21st century, focusing on Homo sapiens.
It divides human history into four major parts: the Cognitive Revolution, the Agricultural Revolution, the Unification of Humankind, and the Scientific Revolution.
Harari argues that Homo sapiens dominate the world due to their unique ability to cooperate in large numbers through beliefs in imagined realities such as gods, nations, money, and human rights.
The book also examines the impact of human activities on the global ecosystem and speculates on the future of humanity, including the potential for genetic engineering and non-organic life.
Escape from Freedom
Erich Fromm
In 'Escape from Freedom', Erich Fromm examines the human relationship with freedom, distinguishing between 'freedom from' (negative freedom) and 'freedom to' (positive freedom).
The book discusses how the rise of democracy and the destruction of feudal societies led to a new kind of freedom that many individuals found overwhelming.
Fromm argues that this sense of freedom can lead to feelings of alienation, anxiety, and a desire to escape these feelings through mechanisms such as authoritarianism, destructiveness, and automatic conformity.
He also analyzes the psychosocial conditions that facilitated the rise of Nazism and other totalitarian regimes.
The book is divided into sections that explore the historical transition from medieval to modern society, the psychological factors at play in contemporary society, and the dissection of authoritarian societies with a vision of potential alternatives.
Absalom, Absalom!
William Faulkner
William Faulkner's "Absalom, Absalom!
" is a complex and challenging novel that delves into the history and downfall of Thomas Sutpen, a wealthy planter in Mississippi.
The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, creating a fragmented and layered portrayal of Sutpen's ambition and its devastating consequences.
Faulkner's masterful use of stream-of-consciousness and shifting timelines creates a rich and immersive reading experience.
The novel explores themes of race, class, ambition, and the destructive nature of the past.
It's considered one of Faulkner's most ambitious and rewarding works.
Finnegans Wake
David Hayman
James Joyce
Finnegans Wake is James Joyce's final and most complex work, written over a period of seventeen years.
The novel is set in a dream world where the protagonist, Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker (HCE), and his family—wife Anna Livia Plurabelle (ALP) and their children Shem, Shaun, and Issy—undergo various transformations and identities.
The book is known for its innovative use of language, combining elements from multiple languages and creating new words through portmanteaus and puns.
It explores themes of identity, history, and the cyclical nature of life, drawing on Irish mythology, biblical narratives, and personal experiences.
The novel's structure is circular, ending with the sentence that begins the book, creating a continuous loop.
The decline of the West
Oswald Spengler
Winesburg, Ohio
A Group of Tales of Ohio Small-Town Life
Sherwood Anderson
Published in 1919, 'Winesburg, Ohio' is a short story cycle that delves into the lives of the residents of the fictional town of Winesburg, loosely based on Anderson's childhood home of Clyde, Ohio.
The book is structured around the life of George Willard, a young reporter who becomes the confidant of the town's solitary figures.
Each story focuses on a different character, revealing their inner struggles, loneliness, and the psychological insights that define their lives.
The work is known for its simple yet powerful prose, which emphasizes character over plot, and is considered one of the earliest examples of Modernist literature in America.
Ulysses
James Joyce
Ulysses is a groundbreaking and complex modernist novel that chronicles the experiences of three Dubliners over a single day.
The novel is loosely based on Homer's epic poem 'The Odyssey', with Leopold Bloom paralleling Odysseus, Stephen Dedalus paralleling Telemachus, and Molly Bloom paralleling Penelope.
It explores themes such as antisemitism, human sexuality, British rule in Ireland, Catholicism, and Irish nationalism.
The novel is known for its innovative use of language and narrative techniques, including stream-of-consciousness and multiple literary styles.
It captures the essence of early 20th-century Dublin, providing a detailed snapshot of the city's social, political, and cultural landscape.
Maps of Meaning
The Architecture of Belief
Jordan B Peterson
In 'Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief', Jordan Peterson synthesizes insights from neuropsychology, cognitive science, and Jungian approaches to mythology and narrative.
The book examines why people from different cultures and eras have formulated myths and stories with similar structures, and how these myths reflect fundamental aspects of human cognition and morality.
Peterson argues that the human mind categorizes the world into known and unknown territories, and that myths and religious stories represent the eternal struggle between order and chaos.
He also discusses the role of heroic figures in bridging these two realms and the importance of confronting the unknown to achieve personal and societal growth.
The book is a comprehensive and interdisciplinary work that aims to make the wisdom of myth accessible to the modern mind.
The Plague
Albert Camus
The Plague, written by Albert Camus, is a philosophical novel that chronicles an outbreak of the bubonic plague in the coastal city of Oran, Algeria.
The story is often interpreted as an allegory for the occupation of France during World War II and the rise of fascism.
The novel follows Dr. Bernard Rieux and his colleagues as they battle the plague, highlighting themes of everyday heroism, the absurdity of human suffering, and the collective response to disaster.
As the city is placed under quarantine, the citizens face isolation, despair, and eventually, a sense of social responsibility and solidarity.
The novel explores existential and theological questions, particularly through the characters of Dr. Rieux and Father Paneloux, and concludes with a reflection on the enduring nature of human suffering and the importance of human solidarity in the face of adversity.
Capital
Karl Marx
Das Kapital is a comprehensive critique of capitalism written by Karl Marx.
The work is divided into three volumes.
Volume I, published in 1867, focuses on the production process of capital, introducing the concept of surplus value and the exploitation of labor.
Volume II, published posthumously in 1885, examines the circulation of capital, while Volume III, published in 1894, discusses the capitalist process as a whole, including the internal differentiation of the capitalist class and the tendency of the rate of profit to fall.
Marx argues that capitalism is characterized by the exploitation of labor, leading to class conflict and eventual crises that necessitate the emergence of a new mode of production.
Escape from Evil
Ernest Becker
In 'Escape from Evil', Ernest Becker delves into the underlying causes of human evil, arguing that the fear of death and the desire for immortality are central to human behavior.
The book examines how humans have historically sought to transcend death through various cultural and societal mechanisms, such as hero systems, scapegoating, and the creation of myths and religions.
Becker critiques the heroic dynamics within societies and the expiation of guilt, highlighting how these mechanisms often lead to violence and suffering.
Written as Becker was dying, the book is a culmination of his career and offers a synthesis of scientific and philosophical perspectives on the human condition.
Collapse
How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed
Jared DIAMOND
In 'Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed', Jared Diamond examines the collapse of past societies, such as the Anasazi, the Maya, and the Norse colonies on Greenland, due to factors like environmental damage, climate change, hostile neighbors, loss of trading partners, and the society's response to these challenges.
Diamond argues that environmental concerns are crucial to a society's success and that the way a society responds to its environmental problems is often the decisive factor in its survival or collapse.
The book also draws parallels between historical collapses and current global issues, offering practical lessons and solutions to avoid similar catastrophes in the present and future.
Being and time
Martin Heidegger
In 'Being and Time', Heidegger delves into the fundamental question of what it means to 'be'.
The book is divided into two main divisions: the first analyzes the existentials of Dasein, or 'being-in-the-world', while the second grounds these existentials in temporality.
Heidegger introduces key concepts such as 'Dasein', 'Being-with', and the three temporal ecstases (having-been, present, and to-come), emphasizing that Dasein's existence is essentially futural and characterized by its possibilities and projects.
The work challenges traditional philosophical notions of subject and object, instead positing that Dasein is inseparable from its world and historical context.
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich
A History of Nazi Germany
William L. Shirer
This book is a monumental study based on extensive documentation, including testimony from Nazi leaders and concentration camp inmates, diaries of officials, transcripts of secret conferences, army orders, and private letters.
Shirer spent five and a half years sifting through this massive documentation to create a definitive record of one of the most frightening chapters in human history.
The book explores how Hitler's regime came to power, its impact on Germany and the world, and its eventual downfall.
It is widely acclaimed as the definitive work on Nazi Germany and has won several awards, including the National Book Award for Nonfiction.
Homo ludens
Johan Huizinga
In 'Homo Ludens,' Johan Huizinga argues that play is a fundamental element of human culture, essential for the generation of culture.
He traces the contribution of play from ancient times through the Renaissance and into modern society, highlighting its role in law, science, philosophy, and the arts.
Huizinga defines play against a rich theoretical background, using cross-cultural examples to illustrate its universal significance and its civilizing functions.
The Denial of Death
Ernest Becker
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.
Sheldon Solomon is a social psychologist, a philosopher, co-developer of Terror Management Theory, co-author of The Worm at the Core.
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Episode links:
Sheldon’s Website: https://www.skidmore.edu/psychology/faculty/solomon.php
The Worm at the Core (book): https://amzn.to/31hQAXH
Denial of Death (book): https://amzn.to/329Zxl4
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Here’s the outline of the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
OUTLINE:
00:00 – Introduction
05:34 – Role of death in life
22:57 – Jordan Peterson
53:02 – Humans are both selfish and cooperative
56:57 – Civilization collapse
1:10:07 – Meditating on your mortality
1:16:10 – Kierkegaard and Heidegger
1:33:25 – Elon Musk
1:36:56 – Thinking deeply about death
1:45:53 – Religion
1:56:59 – Consciousness
2:03:39 – Why is Ernest Becker not better known
2:07:09 – AI and mortality
2:21:07 – Academia should welcome renegade thinkers
2:36:33 – Book recommendations
2:43:23 – Advice for young people
2:48:17 – Meaning of life