#240 - Sheldon Solomon - Does The Fear Of Death Drive Everything We Do?

Nov 2, 2020

Sheldon Solomon, a social psychologist from Skidmore College, explores the fascinating impact of death anxiety on human behavior. He discusses how our awareness of mortality drives tribalism and irrational hatred. Sheldon reveals startling insights about personal interactions and societal dynamics, illustrating how this fear shapes beliefs and consumerism. He also touches on the consequences of isolation, emphasizing the importance of addressing death anxiety for personal and societal improvement. A thought-provoking dive into the human condition awaits!

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insights

INSIGHT

Death Anxiety's Pervasiveness

Death anxiety, though often unconscious, influences every aspect of human existence.
Confronting mortality is crucial for both individual growth and societal well-being.

insights

INSIGHT

Cultural Worldviews and Self-Esteem

Humans, aware of their mortality and vulnerability, create cultural worldviews for comfort.
These beliefs provide meaning and value (self-esteem), reducing existential terror.

insights

INSIGHT

Intolerance and Scapegoating

Conflicting worldviews threaten our death-anxiety buffers, leading to denigration or violence.
We project residual anxiety onto others, creating 'evil' scapegoats to alleviate our fear.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Embracing Mortality: Understanding the Fear of Death

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Confronting Mortality: The Human Condition

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The Evolution of Consciousness: From Voices to Self-Awareness

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Philosophical Perspectives on Immortality

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Contemplating Mortality: The Dance of Life and Death

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Accessible Literature on Death and Meaning

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Destroying the World to Save It

Aum Shinrikyo, Apocalyptic Violence, and the New Global Terrorism

Robert Jay Lifton

This book provides a vivid and disturbing case study of Aum Shinrikyo, a cult that combined New Age thinking, ancient rituals, and apocalyptic visions to justify violent acts. Through interviews with former members, Robert Jay Lifton examines the cult's inner workings and its leader, Shoko Asahara, revealing a broader threat of cults and terrorism in the modern world.

The origin of consciousness in the breakdown of the bicameral mind

Julian Jaynes

Julian Jaynes's "The Origins of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind" is a controversial but influential work that proposes a revolutionary theory about the evolution of human consciousness. Jaynes argues that consciousness as we know it emerged relatively recently in human history, and that earlier humans experienced the world differently, receiving instructions and guidance from internal voices they attributed to gods. This "bicameral mind," Jaynes suggests, was a state of consciousness where the left and right hemispheres of the brain functioned more independently. The book draws on evidence from ancient literature and mythology to support its claims, sparking considerable debate among scholars. While its central thesis remains highly contested, the book's imaginative approach to understanding consciousness continues to inspire discussion and further research.

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.

Becoming human

evolution and human uniqueness

Ian Tattersall

In 'Becoming Human,' Ian Tattersall delves into the origins of human characteristics, examining how our ancestors developed unique traits such as language and symbolic thinking. The book also explores the impact of climate change on human evolution and the role of art in ancient societies.

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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.

The power elite

C. Wright Mills

In 'The Power Elite', C. Wright Mills critiques the organization of power in the United States, focusing on the interlocking interests of the military, corporate, and political elites. Mills argues that these elites, who often share similar educational backgrounds, family ties, and social connections, exert significant influence over American society to the detriment of ordinary citizens. The book explores how these elites maintain their power through public relations, educational institutions, and other social structures, and it questions the democratic nature of American society. The afterword by Alan Wolfe updates the analysis to reflect changes in American capitalism and society since the book's initial publication in 1956.

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.

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.

The true believer

Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements

Eric Hoffer

Published in 1951, 'The True Believer' is a landmark work in social psychology that provides a visionary and provocative look into the mind of the fanatic and the dynamics of mass movements. Hoffer argues that ideologies are interchangeable for true believers, who are driven by personal frustrations and a desire for certainty and belonging. The book is highly relevant today, offering insights into political fanaticism, the rise of mass movements, and the dangers of unthinking adherence to any cause. It has been praised for its concise and insightful analysis, making it a significant contribution to social thought.

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 at Skidmore College and an author.

Humans are a unique animal in that we are aware of our own mortality. One day we will die, and we know it. This fact has a huge impact on how we live our lives, perhaps it's the most important fact we know.

Expect to learn how Sheldon's experiments have proven that death anxiety is a crucial driver of behaviour, why we can hate somebody for the shape of their nose, how death anxiety causes people to be tribal, what would happen if a child grew up without any human contact and much more...

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