The Denial of Death

Ernest Becker's influential nonfiction work, The Denial of Death, explores the psychological and philosophical concepts surrounding human mortality. Becker argues that the fear of death is a primary driving force behind human behavior and societal development. He examines how individuals construct various defense mechanisms, including heroic pursuits and cultural belief systems, to transcend their physical limitations and achieve a sense of immortality. This paperback edition, published by Profile Books, spans 336 pages. It offers readers an analysis of existential anxiety, human nature, and the quest for meaning in the face of inevitable mortality.