
Becker's Structure of Evil: Denial and Immortality Projects
About this episode
The provided text outlines Ernest Becker's concept of "the structure of evil," which posits that evil is an intrinsic aspect of the human condition stemming from our fundamental denial of mortality. Humans cope with the awareness of their inevitable death by creating "immortality projects," such as cultural, religious, or ideological systems, to establish a sense of lasting meaning and significance. Evil emerges when these constructed realities clash, as groups perceive opposing systems as threats to their own path to symbolic permanence, leading to conflict and violence. Becker's work integrates various disciplines to demonstrate how this psychological defense mechanism, aimed at securing individual significance, can become a catalyst for destruction. Ultimately, the text explains that evil is a tragic byproduct of humanity's self-awareness and drive for self-preservation.
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