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The Birth and Death of Meaning: An Interdisciplinary Perspective on the Problem of Man Paperback – September 1, 1971

by Ernest Becker (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 209 ratings
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Uses the disciplines of psychology, anthropology, sociology and psychiatry to explain what makes people act the way they do.
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  1. Print length
    228 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Free Press
  4. Publication date
    September 1, 1971
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.5 x 8.44 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0029021901
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0029021903
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

After receiving a PhD in cultural anthropology from Syracuse University, Dr. Ernest Becker (1924–1974) taught at the University of California at Berkeley, San Francisco State College, and Simon Fraser University, Canada. He is survived by his wife, Marie, and a foundation that bears his name—The Ernest Becker Foundation.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Free Press; Reissue edition (September 1, 1971)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 228 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0029021901
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0029021903
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.44 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 209 ratings

About the author

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Ernest Becker

Ernest Becker

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After receiving a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology from Syracuse University, Dr. Ernest Becker (1924-1974) taught at the University of California at Berkeley, San Francisco State College, and Simon Fraser University, Canada. He is survived by his wife, Marie, and a foundation that bears his name--The Ernest Becker Foundation.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
209 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Rev. T. Reiner
5.0 out of 5 stars Utterly captivating, full of insight, epic story.
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2020
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I read Becker's "Denial of Death" many years ago. That book was a gift because it was the first (and only) book I've read which accurately described one of my core life philosophies.

"Denial of Death" was like staring at the sun.

"Birth and Death of Meaning" is more like viewing a large, beautiful, expertly cut diamond, observing how the sun's light penetrates and refracts through each unique facet and creates brilliant interconnected rainbows.

Where "Denial of Death" builds up steam to ultimately hammer home a single, profound thesis, "Birth and Death..." is like an overview of human history, synthesizing connections across time and space, weaving meaning from many disciplines into a single coherent perspective.

There's something for everyone. Poetry, mythology, anthropology, psychology, spirituality, scientific analysis, and philosophy are just some of the perspectives included. If that sounds complicated -- don't worry! Becker writes in an inviting, narrative style. The language is modern, not dry or academic.

If you're like me, you may find yourself pausing to put the book down every few pages, not because you can't understand it, but because you're so awestruck that you need time to process it on an emotional as well as intellectual level.
52 people found this helpful
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Prue Raos
5.0 out of 5 stars A tool for all people who want to examine human nature
Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2013
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This is a wonderful work in my opinion. The book draws together ideas about human nature beyond superstition and examines some of the fundamentals of psychology as described by some of our greatest modern thinkers. It is not an easy read if you are like me not a student studying these topics for a qualification in the field, but it is fascinating to read about concepts around the constructs of society and human relations/behaviour and the dynamics involved. It is a book for people who are not afraid to examine long held beliefs or are life long students of thought and philosophy in general. I would recommend two other titles by the same author , "The denial of death" (Pulitzer Prize winner) and "Escape from Evil" both food for thought. In summary not a read for escapism more reality check.
14 people found this helpful
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Jon Fobes
5.0 out of 5 stars I WISH I COULD GIVE IT 10 STARS OR 100
Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2003
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Truly a philosophical and psychological classic with powerful ideas exploding from every page. Highly recommended for hundreds of passages like the following:
"The thing that makes the study of character so fascinating and so difficult is that is largely a matter of sorting out bizarre collages ... That is why self-analyses for anyone who wants to work at it, is a task for more than one lifetime - it can never really be finished." * "The ego finds out what feelings, thoughts, and situations are dangerous and then permits the organism to exist in a world in which there is no danger by steering clear of these feelings, thoughts and situations. ... And this price is the heaviest we have to pay: namely, the restriction of experience ... by skewing perceptions and limiting action." * "One of the things that most people take with them out of their early experience is a dependency on others for their sense of self, a rooting in the powers of someone else; this gives them a certain serenity, an ability to carry on daily without worrying or thinking about their own weakness or lack of self-confidence." * "Genuine heroism for man is still the power to support contradictions, no matter how glaring or hopeless they may seem." * "We think we see power in the people with sure beliefs, unshakable convictions, smug self-confidence. Yet these are psychological weaknesses on a planet which is fluid and full of surprises."
57 people found this helpful
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Cyd Holsclaw
4.0 out of 5 stars A classic but a little dated now.
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2020
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Very interesting take on the then current understanding of psychology and neuroscienc.
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william devore
5.0 out of 5 stars Ernest Becker books simplify a very complex subject
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2019
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Ever wondered why things are the way they are, people act the way they do, life seems upside down, and you can barely fix anything? Read the Ernest Becker books and you won't wonder anymore. It's not a heavy read, simple language for the average person. If you don't understand a word look it up, this adds to your vocabulary and the enjoyment of life.
10 people found this helpful
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Christian Moussa
3.0 out of 5 stars Cover is Poor Quality
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2020
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I don't understand this recent trend of printing covers on glossy card stock that's both cheap and does not suit the cover's print design. I haven't had time to read the book, but it's an eyesore to look at until then. Will update review upon reading.
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Vernazzait
5.0 out of 5 stars Explains the human OS.
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2019
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Perhaps the best and most succinct book on the nature and evolution of the human, the human mind, human nature, the source of human wants, needs and desire, and how most of this goes unseen by humans. Becker uses his own scientific investigation results, and successfully synthesizes the insights, results and theories of others to explain why mankind is the way it is.
16 people found this helpful
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Andres Camargo
5.0 out of 5 stars Its an excellent book... it was listed on philosophy though.
Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2013
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I found this by mistake, I was looking for some philosophy to read and found this but it turned out is more into the psichology field but nevertheless is an extraordinary journey onto the basic theory of human development going trough psichoanalysis and social behavior and development, it has been one of the best books I've read in some years.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

DD
5.0 out of 5 stars It'll change every perspective about life
Reviewed in India on January 14, 2021
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Think 10 time before reading. Think 1000 time after reading. It will change your whole perspective about everything, if you let it. Be careful what you wish for. No book come close to this. You will see how shallow our ideas about ourselves are.. good luck
2 people found this helpful
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Marco Lépine
5.0 out of 5 stars He's the man
Reviewed in Canada on April 17, 2019
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Ashleigh Gabrielli
5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for the seeker
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 20, 2016
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A wonderful book.

To begin with the external, the book is bound well and printed on premium paper unlike some cheaply published books out there which do not last long. A professor friend has had his copy on his book shelf for nearly three decades!

Now to move on to the actual content of the book, Becker is one of those rare philosophers worth reading, he writes clearly without cluttering his work with indecipherable technical terminology. This book is written for the average reader and the academic alike.

Becker grappled the profound subject matter in an insightful and perspicacious manner, clearly presenting his thoughts with the voice of a fellow seeker, the tone is not at all condescending.

This anthropologist is onto something, if you will read one book this year, make it this one.
11 people found this helpful
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Towards The Sun
5.0 out of 5 stars profound and thought provoking
Reviewed in Germany on October 1, 2013
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The most modern philosophy book I've read so far. Well thought through and to the point. Also found the writing style very pleasent to read.
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Arthur John
4.0 out of 5 stars A Follow-On for Specialists
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 26, 2019
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Becker is an excellent writer and I enjoyed this book. However, I came to it from The Denial of Death, which is vastly superior. The value in The Birth and Death of Meaning is - in fact - tracing the Becker's ideas as they evolve before they are presented in that later book.

I skipped through about a third (perhaps more) of the text, because it is dated and, ultimately, just a synthesis of other writers' work. However, the good bits are really good. The terror thesis (that man/mankind is psychologically in a state of constant avoidance of awareness of his own mortality) is developed here before it is given wings and takes flight in the Denial of Death.

The descriptions of ego early in the book (although I suspect not entirely original?) are very interesting to read and impactful. Again, this idea - that ego is a type of denial of reality, albeit a necessary one - takes flight in the Denial of Death.

The text as a whole does not hang together very well. Or at least it is not clear what the argument in the book is. While certain sections are excellent and striking, Becker does not maintain a clear line of reasoning. Becker produced a lot of work very quickly, and although he is always good to read, I do think that he rushes texts out to publication.

So, when it is good, it soars, but the work is still a bit patchy. However, being interested in the themes in The Denial of Death, I got a lot out of it. It is very enjoyable - particuarly if you skip bits.
9 people found this helpful
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