Ernest Becker: Difference between revisions

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File:Ernest Becker (1924-1974).jpg

Ernest Becker (1924-1974)

Ernest Becker (September 27, 1924 – March 6, 1974) was an American cultural anthropologist and writer known for his work in the fields of psychology, philosophy, and anthropology. He is best known for his 1974 book The Denial of Death, which won the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction.

Biography[edit]

Ernest Becker was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and grew up in a Jewish family. He served in the United States Army during World War II, after which he attended Syracuse University, earning a bachelor's degree in psychology. He later obtained a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology from Simon Fraser University.

Career[edit]

Becker's career was marked by his interdisciplinary approach, combining insights from psychology, philosophy, and anthropology. He taught at several universities, including Simon Fraser University, where he was a professor of anthropology.

The Denial of Death[edit]

The Denial of Death is Becker's most famous work, in which he explores the concept of death anxiety and its role in human behavior. Becker argues that much of human activity is driven by an unconscious fear of death, and that cultural systems, such as religion and heroism, are constructed to manage this fear.

Legacy[edit]

Becker's work has had a significant impact on the fields of psychology, philosophy, and cultural studies. His ideas have influenced the development of terror management theory, which explores how humans cope with the awareness of their own mortality.

References[edit]

Becker, Ernest. The Denial of Death. New York: Free Press, 1973.
Becker, Ernest. Escape from Evil. New York: Free Press, 1975.

External links[edit]

Ernest Becker Foundation

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-[[file:Becker_lecture_1960.png|thumb|Becker lecture 1960]] '''Ernest Becker''' (September 27, 1924 – March 6, 1974) was an American cultural anthropologist and interdisciplinary thinker and writer. He is best known for his 1974 Pulitzer Prize-winning book, ''[[The Denial of Death]]'', which postulates that human civilization is ultimately an elaborate, symbolic defense mechanism against the knowledge of our mortality.
+{{Infobox person
+| name = Ernest Becker
+| image =
+| caption =
+| birth_date = {{birth date|1924|9|27}}
+| birth_place = Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
+| death_date = {{death date and age|1974|3|6|1924|9|27}}
+| death_place = Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
+| nationality = American
+| occupation = Cultural anthropologist, writer
+| notable_works = ''[[The Denial of Death]]''
+}}
+[[File:Ernest_Becker_(1924-1974).jpg|Ernest Becker (1924-1974)|thumb]]
+'''Ernest Becker''' (September 27, 1924 – March 6, 1974) was an American [[cultural anthropology|cultural anthropologist]] and [[writer]] known for his work in the fields of [[psychology]], [[philosophy]], and [[anthropology]]. He is best known for his 1974 book ''[[The Denial of Death]]'', which won the [[Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction]].
-== Early Life and Education ==
+== Biography ==
-Ernest Becker was born in [[Springfield, Massachusetts]]. He served in the [[United States Army]] during [[World War II]], after which he attended [[Syracuse University]], earning a bachelor's degree in 1949. He later received his Ph.D. in cultural anthropology from [[Cornell University]] in 1960.
+Ernest Becker was born in [[Springfield, Massachusetts]], and grew up in a Jewish family. He served in the [[United States Army]] during [[World War II]], after which he attended [[Syracuse University]], earning a bachelor's degree in [[psychology]]. He later obtained a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology from [[Simon Fraser University]].
-== Academic Career ==
+== Career ==
-Becker's academic career included teaching positions at [[Syracuse University]], [[University of California, Berkeley]], [[San Francisco State University]], and the [[University of British Columbia]]. His interdisciplinary approach combined elements of [[psychology]], [[sociology]], [[philosophy]], and [[anthropology]].
+Becker's career was marked by his interdisciplinary approach, combining insights from [[psychology]], [[philosophy]], and [[anthropology]]. He taught at several universities, including [[Simon Fraser University]], where he was a professor of anthropology.
-== Major Works ==
+== The Denial of Death ==
-=== The Denial of Death ===
+''The Denial of Death'' is Becker's most famous work, in which he explores the concept of [[death anxiety]] and its role in human behavior. Becker argues that much of human activity is driven by an unconscious fear of death, and that cultural systems, such as [[religion]] and [[heroism]], are constructed to manage this fear.
-''[[The Denial of Death]]'' is Becker's most famous work, published in 1973. The book explores the concept that human behavior is largely motivated by an unconscious fear of mortality. Becker argues that much of human activity is designed to avoid the inevitability of death, leading to the creation of cultural and religious systems that provide meaning and purpose.
-=== Escape from Evil ===
-Published posthumously in 1975, ''[[Escape from Evil]]'' extends the ideas presented in ''The Denial of Death''. Becker examines how the fear of death influences human behavior and societal structures, including the development of [[morality]] and [[religion]].
 == Legacy ==
-Ernest Becker's work has had a significant impact on various fields, including [[psychology]], [[sociology]], and [[philosophy]]. His ideas have influenced the development of [[terror management theory]], which explores how humans cope with the awareness of their mortality.
+Becker's work has had a significant impact on the fields of [[psychology]], [[philosophy]], and [[cultural studies]]. His ideas have influenced the development of [[terror management theory]], which explores how humans cope with the awareness of their own mortality.
-== Related Pages ==
+== See also ==
+* [[Terror management theory]]
 * [[Cultural anthropology]]
-* [[The Denial of Death]]
+* [[Psychology of religion]]
-* [[Terror management theory]]
-* [[Psychology]]
+== References ==
-* [[Sociology]]
+* Becker, Ernest. ''The Denial of Death''. New York: Free Press, 1973.
-* [[Philosophy]]
+* Becker, Ernest. ''Escape from Evil''. New York: Free Press, 1975.
+== External links ==
+* [https://www.ernestbecker.org/ Ernest Becker Foundation]
+{{Authority control}}
-== Categories ==
 [[Category:1924 births]]
 [[Category:1974 deaths]]
 [[Category:American anthropologists]]
-[[Category:Cultural anthropologists]]
+[[Category:American psychologists]]
 [[Category:Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction winners]]
+[[Category:People from Springfield, Massachusetts]]
 [[Category:Syracuse University alumni]]
-[[Category:Cornell University alumni]]
+[[Category:Simon Fraser University faculty]]
-[[Category:University of California, Berkeley faculty]]
-[[Category:San Francisco State University faculty]]
-[[Category:University of British Columbia faculty]]
-{{Authority control}}
-{{medicine-stub}}