The question of humankind's innate evil tendencies arose in another thread and brought to mind the work of Ernest Becker. Becker was a Pulitzer Prize winning sociologist who is known for two main books: The Denial of Death and Escape From Evil. If you take "Death", as Becker uses it, to mean "insignificance" then it makes a lot more sense. Whilst many people can rightfully claim that they have overcome fear of death it is the feeling that our lives will be insignificant which drives much human activity.
Over the last decade, empirical evidence has been mounting in support of Becker's conclusions regarding the nature of Man and the causes of societal dilemmas.
This intro to Becker can be heard streamed from your computer. The Ernest Becker Foundation have provided the entire speech, which is approximately 12 megabytes, and portions of the speech by subject.
Introduction to Ernest Becker
I encourage anyone with a desire to understand culture and society to listen the these lectures.
Escape From Evil
Escape From Evil
I don't fear death; I fear not living.
Escape From Evil
Koan
Thanks for the reference. I listened to the audio and enjoyed it very much. I shall check at my favorite library for his books. You may see me develop an OP from Becker's books shortly.
Thanks for the reference. I listened to the audio and enjoyed it very much. I shall check at my favorite library for his books. You may see me develop an OP from Becker's books shortly.
Escape From Evil
coberst;455953 wrote: Koan
Thanks for the reference. I listened to the audio and enjoyed it very much. I shall check at my favorite library for his books. You may see me develop an OP from Becker's books shortly.
Glad you enjoyed it. I look forward to hearing your presentation.
Thanks for the reference. I listened to the audio and enjoyed it very much. I shall check at my favorite library for his books. You may see me develop an OP from Becker's books shortly.
Glad you enjoyed it. I look forward to hearing your presentation.
Escape From Evil
I'm going through the lecture as I couldn't dream of summarizing Becker's work as succinctly as Sheldon Solomon does. The man is not only brilliant, but hilarious.
Notes from Part 1:
The lecture looks at why people have trouble getting along with other people who hold different beliefs. Solomon uses parts from his own book: The Structure of Evil - History is a nightmare from which I am trying to awaken.
From the minute that people have started keeping track of each other...things have been rather bleak. This history of our sadistic cultures can be summed up as being a desire to stick conquered peoples up on poles in public display.
It is always easy to recognise the hideous behaviour of others and pretend that we are different. The "New World" wasn't exactly new to the indiginous people who had previously lived peacefully for a few millennium.
Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898 a Pulitzer Prize winning book is an interesting study of American civilisation. In it, first hand accounts can be found of the gleeful torturing of the Indians after capture...including the cutting off of genitals and stuffing them in the victims' mouths.
Eros and Civilisation makes a clear connection between "progress" and what is called "unfreedom".
Solomon claims we are at the crossroads of human existence. There are enough twinkies to go around. Only willfully ignorant will deny that the amount of WMDs in the world juxtaposed with the mentalities of our leaders puts us in the unique position of the first species to possibly obliterate itself with no outside intervention.
Notes from Part 1:
The lecture looks at why people have trouble getting along with other people who hold different beliefs. Solomon uses parts from his own book: The Structure of Evil - History is a nightmare from which I am trying to awaken.
From the minute that people have started keeping track of each other...things have been rather bleak. This history of our sadistic cultures can be summed up as being a desire to stick conquered peoples up on poles in public display.
It is always easy to recognise the hideous behaviour of others and pretend that we are different. The "New World" wasn't exactly new to the indiginous people who had previously lived peacefully for a few millennium.
Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898 a Pulitzer Prize winning book is an interesting study of American civilisation. In it, first hand accounts can be found of the gleeful torturing of the Indians after capture...including the cutting off of genitals and stuffing them in the victims' mouths.
Eros and Civilisation makes a clear connection between "progress" and what is called "unfreedom".
Solomon claims we are at the crossroads of human existence. There are enough twinkies to go around. Only willfully ignorant will deny that the amount of WMDs in the world juxtaposed with the mentalities of our leaders puts us in the unique position of the first species to possibly obliterate itself with no outside intervention.
Escape From Evil
Part 2
How do we understand our history and get in a position to do something about it?
Becker was an anthropologist, sociologist and psychiatrist. Spent most of his life trying to understand human evil.
His basic constructs:
What motivates human behaviour? Epistimological questions (method of acquiring knowledge)
1. Must be studied from an interdisciplinarian perspective.
2. To get somewhere we need to take a scientific approach. Everyone can have an opinion but not all opinions are created equal. Must withstand empirical scrutiny.
3. Humans can rationally try to understand the world around them and use what they learn to modify and improve the world around them.
4. We do better if we ground our ideas in Darwin's theory of evolution.
Becker's theories:
Supports Darwin's findings that all forms of life share in common a biological predispositon to self preservation. (we like to keep living) Also a variety of clever ways forms of life have learned to adapt to their surroundings for this purpose.
Humans are almost pathetically impoverished in our ability to adapt in comparison to other creatures. Can not survive by our attributes. Our benefits are that we are social and intelligent.
How do we understand our history and get in a position to do something about it?
Becker was an anthropologist, sociologist and psychiatrist. Spent most of his life trying to understand human evil.
His basic constructs:
What motivates human behaviour? Epistimological questions (method of acquiring knowledge)
1. Must be studied from an interdisciplinarian perspective.
2. To get somewhere we need to take a scientific approach. Everyone can have an opinion but not all opinions are created equal. Must withstand empirical scrutiny.
3. Humans can rationally try to understand the world around them and use what they learn to modify and improve the world around them.
4. We do better if we ground our ideas in Darwin's theory of evolution.
Becker's theories:
Supports Darwin's findings that all forms of life share in common a biological predispositon to self preservation. (we like to keep living) Also a variety of clever ways forms of life have learned to adapt to their surroundings for this purpose.
Humans are almost pathetically impoverished in our ability to adapt in comparison to other creatures. Can not survive by our attributes. Our benefits are that we are social and intelligent.
Escape From Evil
Part 3
When we collaborate we do well.
Becker agrees with Otto Rank in the brilliance of humans to turn their imaginations into reality. To take an idea and create it. We can make our environment fit for human habitation.
He supports Kierkegaard's assertion that self awareness is a gift to mankind causing both awe and dread. There is a subliminal joy that happens from time to time just at the occasional realisation that we exist. (eg- suddenly enjoying the sun or a good view) but also with the realisation that we will not always exist. We can also transport ourselves mentally to imagine what it would be like somewhere and someplace else.
Becker points out that, additionally, our concern about dying is accentuated by our knowledge that the time and method of our deaths will be beyond our control.
Death can occur at any time. On top of that we know we are animals. With all of our biological necessities and flaws.
Mortal
vulnerable
a cold cut with an attitude.
We are rather unhappy about this but try to take our minds off of it.
We can't focus on it all the time or we would be miserable.
Becker's hypothesis is that we solve this problem using our abilities to think abstractly and symbolically through the construction and maintenance of what we call culture. He defines culture as beliefs about the nature of reality shared by groups to ease the anxiety about the reality of death.
What cultures do is provide members with answers to cosmological questions about the meaning of life. All share an version of the origin of universe, a code of behaviour that should be followed, an afterlife story, and hope of immortality. That immortality can be symbolic or literal. Including building and doing. To leave an imprint that will represent immortality.
The average person prefers literal immortality. Hence religion.
Becker does consider religion an important and even essential human attribute. Each of us needs to believe we fulfill a meaningful role in the universe.
We need to perceive ourselves as a person of value in a world of meaning.
When we collaborate we do well.
Becker agrees with Otto Rank in the brilliance of humans to turn their imaginations into reality. To take an idea and create it. We can make our environment fit for human habitation.
He supports Kierkegaard's assertion that self awareness is a gift to mankind causing both awe and dread. There is a subliminal joy that happens from time to time just at the occasional realisation that we exist. (eg- suddenly enjoying the sun or a good view) but also with the realisation that we will not always exist. We can also transport ourselves mentally to imagine what it would be like somewhere and someplace else.
Becker points out that, additionally, our concern about dying is accentuated by our knowledge that the time and method of our deaths will be beyond our control.
Death can occur at any time. On top of that we know we are animals. With all of our biological necessities and flaws.
Mortal
vulnerable
a cold cut with an attitude.
We are rather unhappy about this but try to take our minds off of it.
We can't focus on it all the time or we would be miserable.
Becker's hypothesis is that we solve this problem using our abilities to think abstractly and symbolically through the construction and maintenance of what we call culture. He defines culture as beliefs about the nature of reality shared by groups to ease the anxiety about the reality of death.
What cultures do is provide members with answers to cosmological questions about the meaning of life. All share an version of the origin of universe, a code of behaviour that should be followed, an afterlife story, and hope of immortality. That immortality can be symbolic or literal. Including building and doing. To leave an imprint that will represent immortality.
The average person prefers literal immortality. Hence religion.
Becker does consider religion an important and even essential human attribute. Each of us needs to believe we fulfill a meaningful role in the universe.
We need to perceive ourselves as a person of value in a world of meaning.
Escape From Evil
Part 4
Encountering those with other beliefs.
Scapegoating.
If beliefs about reality serve a death defying function, what happens when we are confronted with someone with a different set of beliefs? It threatens our conceptions of reality.
1. We cannot accept their constructs without undermining the confidence we have in our own beliefs and it exposes us to anxiety.
even scarier
2. Even if different people weren't around we would designate people within our own culture to defend against. No symbol is sufficient enough to overcome the anxiety of death. No matter how strong the belief there will always be residual anxiety repressed within us and it projects onto other groups of individuals. This has been proven.
Social construction of reality.
defensive reactions:
1. Derogation - berating or belittling (eg "backwards", "subhuman")
2. Try to get them to convert to our reality. The more people that agree with us the more secure we feel in our construct. If it's just your belief it's "autism" if everyone else believes it it's "culture".
3. Annihilate the other group to confirm that our reality is the true one.
All armed conflict is a result of the psychological inability to accept outside constructs. There are other factors that create aggression (eg - resources) but we would still have the same problems if there were no other reasons. Each needs to deny the right of the other party to exist to maintain their death denying ideology.
"Evil Empire" and "Great Satan" are not phrases uttered by rational humans.
Bin Laden and Jerry Falwell would do well at the same table. Their clothing is different but their attitudes the same.
Encountering those with other beliefs.
Scapegoating.
If beliefs about reality serve a death defying function, what happens when we are confronted with someone with a different set of beliefs? It threatens our conceptions of reality.
1. We cannot accept their constructs without undermining the confidence we have in our own beliefs and it exposes us to anxiety.
even scarier
2. Even if different people weren't around we would designate people within our own culture to defend against. No symbol is sufficient enough to overcome the anxiety of death. No matter how strong the belief there will always be residual anxiety repressed within us and it projects onto other groups of individuals. This has been proven.
Social construction of reality.
defensive reactions:
1. Derogation - berating or belittling (eg "backwards", "subhuman")
2. Try to get them to convert to our reality. The more people that agree with us the more secure we feel in our construct. If it's just your belief it's "autism" if everyone else believes it it's "culture".
3. Annihilate the other group to confirm that our reality is the true one.
All armed conflict is a result of the psychological inability to accept outside constructs. There are other factors that create aggression (eg - resources) but we would still have the same problems if there were no other reasons. Each needs to deny the right of the other party to exist to maintain their death denying ideology.
"Evil Empire" and "Great Satan" are not phrases uttered by rational humans.
Bin Laden and Jerry Falwell would do well at the same table. Their clothing is different but their attitudes the same.
Escape From Evil
Guess I'll have to get the book. I agree with most of what you have from his work. If it really is true doesn't it make you feel that life is pointless? (Rhetorical).
Even if different people weren't around we would designate people within our own culture to defend against. No symbol is sufficient enough to overcome the anxiety of death. No matter how strong the belief there will always be residual anxiety repressed within us and it projects onto other groups of individuals. This has been proven.
Yes indeed. Now the only question is why? Maybe the reason is because this is the way WE set the world up. We "stole" our individual identity from oneness "God" if you wish and WE fled in terror from that thought and fear of God's revenge. Could that be "creation" of the physical universe? Freud says what we can't deal with we repress, then dissociate and then project. Is the whole reason we are here? to hide? Do we HAVE to have somone to project our fear onto? I wonder of Becker ever studied quantum mechanics? How would he integrate his theory with basic premise of QM that there is nothing out there? That you cannot mathematically separate the observer from the observed? I think we have to other ego's to hate to keep is from dealing with our "internal" fear..
Just musing out loud..
Even if different people weren't around we would designate people within our own culture to defend against. No symbol is sufficient enough to overcome the anxiety of death. No matter how strong the belief there will always be residual anxiety repressed within us and it projects onto other groups of individuals. This has been proven.
Yes indeed. Now the only question is why? Maybe the reason is because this is the way WE set the world up. We "stole" our individual identity from oneness "God" if you wish and WE fled in terror from that thought and fear of God's revenge. Could that be "creation" of the physical universe? Freud says what we can't deal with we repress, then dissociate and then project. Is the whole reason we are here? to hide? Do we HAVE to have somone to project our fear onto? I wonder of Becker ever studied quantum mechanics? How would he integrate his theory with basic premise of QM that there is nothing out there? That you cannot mathematically separate the observer from the observed? I think we have to other ego's to hate to keep is from dealing with our "internal" fear..
Just musing out loud..
You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted, then used against you.
Escape From Evil
zinkyusa;458389 wrote: Guess I'll have to get the book. I agree with most of what you have from his work. If it really is true doesn't it make you feel that life is pointless? (Rhetorical).
Yes indeed. Now the only question is why? Maybe the reason is because this is the way WE set the world up. We "stole" our individual identity from oneness "God" if you wish and WE fled in terror from that thought and fear of God's revenge. Could that be "creation" of the physical universe? Freud says what we can't deal with we repress, then dissociate and then project. Is the whole reason we are here? to hide? Do we HAVE to have somone to project our fear onto? I wonder of Becker ever studied quantum mechanics? How would he integrate his theory with basic premise of QM that there is nothing out there? That you cannot mathematically separate the observer from the observed? I think we have to other ego's to hate to keep is from dealing with our "internal" fear..
Just musing out loud..
There's one more lecture to post. I'll go do it now. Glad you are reading.
Yes indeed. Now the only question is why? Maybe the reason is because this is the way WE set the world up. We "stole" our individual identity from oneness "God" if you wish and WE fled in terror from that thought and fear of God's revenge. Could that be "creation" of the physical universe? Freud says what we can't deal with we repress, then dissociate and then project. Is the whole reason we are here? to hide? Do we HAVE to have somone to project our fear onto? I wonder of Becker ever studied quantum mechanics? How would he integrate his theory with basic premise of QM that there is nothing out there? That you cannot mathematically separate the observer from the observed? I think we have to other ego's to hate to keep is from dealing with our "internal" fear..
Just musing out loud..
There's one more lecture to post. I'll go do it now. Glad you are reading.
Escape From Evil
Part 5
If we take these ideas seriously, what are the implications?
Are human beings a viable form of life?
We've only been around for 100,000 yrs.
We are a young species.
We have been successful but now that we verge on self destruction we need to avoid arrogance.
We need to maintain hope by imagining a different direction in which we can go. Anyone still reading is a sign that some of us have an interest in changing that direction.
If we are all different from another culture we can assume that any of our cultures could be slated for destruction. So we all need to take an interest in stopping the current destructive behaviours.
A few principles that can help (Becker's ideas)
1. Knowledge is power. The better we understand ourselves the better our chances to correct our problems.
2. There must be a religious dimension (broadly defined) to improve the human condition. We must hold beliefs about reality that help us to cope with each day and motivate us. Spengler says "faith is the beginning of all intellectual inquiry"
3. We need imagination. Things have been invented that no one thought possible when they saw the first design.
4. We need courage to pursue our designs.
Final note from Solomon
"Life not death is the great adventure."
Studying death and negativity for the sake of advancing our chances in the future is one of the most positive approaches to improving life.
If we take these ideas seriously, what are the implications?
Are human beings a viable form of life?
We've only been around for 100,000 yrs.
We are a young species.
We have been successful but now that we verge on self destruction we need to avoid arrogance.
We need to maintain hope by imagining a different direction in which we can go. Anyone still reading is a sign that some of us have an interest in changing that direction.
If we are all different from another culture we can assume that any of our cultures could be slated for destruction. So we all need to take an interest in stopping the current destructive behaviours.
A few principles that can help (Becker's ideas)
1. Knowledge is power. The better we understand ourselves the better our chances to correct our problems.
2. There must be a religious dimension (broadly defined) to improve the human condition. We must hold beliefs about reality that help us to cope with each day and motivate us. Spengler says "faith is the beginning of all intellectual inquiry"
3. We need imagination. Things have been invented that no one thought possible when they saw the first design.
4. We need courage to pursue our designs.
Final note from Solomon
"Life not death is the great adventure."
Studying death and negativity for the sake of advancing our chances in the future is one of the most positive approaches to improving life.