Identify Books To The Birth and Death of Meaning: An Interdisciplinary Perspective on the Problem of Man
| ISBN: | 0029021901 (ISBN13: 9780029021903) |
| Edition Language: | English |
Ernest Becker
Paperback | Pages: 228 pages Rating: 4.37 | 571 Users | 36 Reviews
Interpretation Toward Books The Birth and Death of Meaning: An Interdisciplinary Perspective on the Problem of Man
An absolutely amazing work. In the introduction, Becker sets out to answer the question "Why do people do what they do?" What follows, across 200 pages, is a remarkably well-constructed and well-written study on the development of selfhood and culture. Becker's work is truly interdisciplinary and draws on evolutionary biology, developmental psychology, anthropology, philosophy and literature. The book reveals the link between the organization of human societies and the vital, personal need for self-esteem: the feeling that one is valued, loved, and has a chance to be a hero in their narrative. The role of culture is to set up a system of rules for achieving this self-esteem and heroism. However, as Becker explores in the later chapters, problems arise these systems of self-esteem are frustrated, denied or no longer able to function. Overall, a very compelling study that should perhaps be read before "The Denial of Death."
Point Based On Books The Birth and Death of Meaning: An Interdisciplinary Perspective on the Problem of Man
| Title | : | The Birth and Death of Meaning: An Interdisciplinary Perspective on the Problem of Man |
| Author | : | Ernest Becker |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | Anniversary Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 228 pages |
| Published | : | September 1st 1971 by Free Press (first published August 1st 1962) |
| Categories | : | Philosophy. Psychology. Nonfiction. Sociology. Anthropology |
Rating Based On Books The Birth and Death of Meaning: An Interdisciplinary Perspective on the Problem of Man
Ratings: 4.37 From 571 Users | 36 ReviewsRate Based On Books The Birth and Death of Meaning: An Interdisciplinary Perspective on the Problem of Man
Too a long time to finish this book. I find it helps me to integrate various ideas. The author provided a view of human (or humanity) development, learning the language (symbols) gave man the ability to put distance between immediate environment, how that formed the mind. Man being "cursed" in a way to be aware of our mortality, caught in anxieties. The effect of socialisations, and man's different ways to manage that anxieties. I think (at least in my understanding) ultimate solution is findingQuite simply one of the most important books that I have ever read - the work of an absolute genius of the very first order. To read it with an open mind and with a willingness to attend is to usher in the possibility of super-pleasure and super-thought. Buy, read. Digest. Read again. Percolate. Read again.
This book took forever to read. Excellent writing, interesting subject.
One of the best books I have read in a long time. I wish I had read this book before The Denial Of Death since it would have better prepared me. Truly an amazing piece of work. Unimaginable what Becker would have accomplished had he had 20 more years on this planet. Highly recommended, no, a MUST READ.
After reading "The Birth and Death of Meaning" along with "The Denial of Death", Ernest Becker quickly became one of my personal heroes. Who else would have had the guts to write something so penetrating, so frightening, so threatening to the mechanisms we use every day to cope with life? Becker makes shockingly clear the fictitious nature of human meaning and the contrived nature of social game: if you've ever wondered why the mentally ill are so neglected as a minority and generally spurned
Probably one of the most poignant synthesis of human understanding I have read. It gradually reveals the root of humanity's irrational machinations, it's compulsive agitations. In short it shows how precisely human consciousness is existential-insecurity; and how neurosis is, for individuals and for entire societies, every contortion of perception, every delusion and every scheme against reality as it is -- simply everything that tries to cover up the despair, dread and anxiety that conscious
A paradigm-shifting, Matrix-unplugging piece of work. This book, along with Becker's Denial of Death, are excellent analyses of the human condition and why we do literally anything. His main argument is how everything we know that is human behavior and culture is just a mirage and a way to protect our fragile selves from an unacceptable paradox: that we're the only creatures we know of with consciousness and are aware of our own mortality, yet we know that our lives are completely meaningless in
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