Book · 1962 · Psychiatry
Birth and Death of Meaning
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- person
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- podcasts
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- episodes
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- recommendations
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So the the birth and death of meaning the denial of death and escape from evil are three books of ernest becker's that i believe to all the profound.
What they say about it
- Evolutionary perspective and foundation3
- Source of foundational ideas“where we got our ideas from”2
The best things said about it
Ernest Becker's The Denial of Death or another book called The Birth and Death of Meaning are where we got our ideas from.
The Birth and Death of Meaning is where Becker situates his thinking in more of an evolutionary foundation.
There's another book The Birth and Death of Meaning which is framed in from an evolutionary perspective.
Why people recommend it
Birth and Death of Meaning by Ernest Becker is an exploration of human psychology and culture framed primarily through an evolutionary and psychoanalytic lens. Sheldon Solomon discussed the book extensively during multiple appearances on Modern Wisdom and the Lex Fridman Podcast. Solomon recommended Becker's works, including this specific text, as foundational reading that heavily shaped his own academic and psychological ideas. He noted that while the book can sometimes present a challenging read for certain audiences, it remains a vital entry point for understanding the human condition because of how Becker situates psychological development within an evolutionary framework. Solomon contrasted these perspectives with Becker's other writings, emphasizing that the texts collectively offer profound insights into why humans behave the way they do, driven by existential concerns and cultural meaning-making. Podcasts featuring Solomon frequently return to these concepts, treating Becker's publications as indispensable guides for anyone attempting to reconcile biological evolution with complex human motivations, socialization, and the overarching quest for significance in a difficult world.
Every mention
Sheldon Solomon so the the birth and death of meaning the denial of death and escape from evil are three books of ernest be… 6
“i would say uh that ernest becker's the denial of death or another book called the birth and death of meaning are where we got our ideas from uh but a lot of folks uh find that to be difficult”
“i would say uh that ernest becker's the denial of death or another book called the birth and death of meaning are where we got our ideas from”
“um there's another book the birth and death of meaning – which is framed – um in from an evolutionary perspective”
“um there's another book the birth and death of meaning uh which is framed um in from an evolutionary perspective”
“so the the birth and death of meaning is where becker situates his thinking in more of an evolutionary foundation”
“so the the birth and death of meaning the denial of death and escape from evil are three books of ernest becker's that i believe to all the profound”
