The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker(Deep Session)

we will be reading:
The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker (Deep Session)

Selective reading:
Instead of the full ~350 pages, we will focus on Chapters 1, 2, and 8 (~50 pages) which capture the central argument.
Optional: Chapter 7 for those who would like to go deeper

About
This session explores a central and unsettling idea:
that much of human behavior is shaped by an underlying fear of death — often without us realizing it.

Reading:
Chapter 1 — Human Nature and the Heroic
Focuses on the idea that humans are unique in being aware of their mortality.
It shows how we cope with this awareness by constructing meaning, identity, and a sense of significance — what Becker calls a “heroic project.”

Chapter 2 — The Terror of Death
Goes deeper into how this fear operates psychologically.
It argues that the fear of death is largely repressed, yet continues to influence behavior, anxiety, and decision-making beneath the surface.

Chapter 8 — Otto Rank and the Closure of Psychoanalysis
Builds on earlier ideas and presents a broader framework:
that human life is structured around managing fear through symbolic systems — culture, belief, relationships, and personal identity.

(Optional)
Chapter 7 — The Spell Cast by Persons—The Nexus of Unfreedom
Explores how our fear of death becomes attached to powerful others and social roles, making us dependent on external approval, authority, and relationships for a sense of security and meaning.

We’ll explore:
- whether meaning is something real or something constructed
- how much of our behavior is driven by hidden fear
- the role of illusion in maintaining psychological stability

Influence
Yalom → develops these ideas in existential therapy, focusing on death anxiety

Connections to Previous Readings
Striving, suffering, and dissatisfaction:
The World as Will and Representation, Volume 2, The Myth of Sisyphus, The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Self-deception & unconscious drives:
Civilization and Its Discontents
Existential confrontation:
The Death of Ivan Ilyich, Existential Psychotherapy, The Stranger

Note
To maintain discussion quality and minimise no-shows, Deep Sessions operate via waitlist approval.
When requesting a spot, please include one of the following:
• You’ve attended previous sessions regularly
OR
• A brief note (1–2 sentences) including:
– A philosophical or psychological book you’ve read recently,
OR
– What particularly interests you about this Deep session.
Requests without a note may be declined to prioritise committed participants.