The Denial of Death

Describe in your own words Ernest Becker’s central argument in The Denial of Death. Is there any part of Becker’s thesis that you find particularly convincing or, on the other hand, not convincing?

Becker argues that traditional religion provided humans with a sense of transcendence and heroism. Do you agree with Becker’s depiction of religion? Why or why not? Are there any alternative forms of non-religious transcendence you believe are, or could be, just as effective?

Compare Becker’s arguments about the development of the fear of death in childhood with Freud’s arguments about the Oedipus complex. In what ways are they similar? How do their arguments diverge? Which argument do you find most convincing, and why?