“Modern man is drinking and drugging himself out of awareness, or he spends his time shopping, which is the same thing.” —Ernest Becker
The philosopher, Ernest Becker (1924-1974) is best known for two works: The Denial of Death and Escape from Evil.
Through these books, Becker weaves together a philosophy of humanity that argues most of a person’s actions are based on his or her fear of death. He writes, “Of all things that move man, one of the principal ones is his terror of death.”
But for Becker, it is not just the fear of physical death that moves people. In Escape from Evil, he contends that humanity’s greatest fear is to die without significance.
What man really fears is not so much extinction, but extinction with insignificance. Man wants to know that his life has somehow counted, if not for himself, then at least in a larger scheme of things, that it has left a trace, a trace that has meaning. And in order for anything once alive to have meaning, its effects must remain alive in eternity in some way.
To compensate, we begin to engage in the pursuit of immortality projects—any activity that will allow us to outlive our physical lives. By securing for ourselves immortality symbols, we are able to successfully defeat death, outlive our mortality, and overcome our terror of death.
These symbols could take many forms (writing, art, architecture). But Becker writes that most modern people in capitalist societies turn to wealth and possessions as their immortality projects. “Money gives power now—and, through accumulated property, land and interest, power in the future.” He contends that the pursuit of wealth and possessions is so common, “no wonder economic equality is beyond the imagination of modern, democratic man: the house, the car, the bank balance are his immortality symbols.”
I was first introduced to Becker’s philosophy years ago. And it has helped shape my understanding of why minimalism is a foreign idea to so many people. For those who pursue immortality through wealth and possessions, minimalism stands in sharp contrast to some of the very forces that make them human—even against the primal motivation of self-preservation.
But Becker’s contribution also gets me thinking, “Where then, do we find the motivation to own less? How do we live a life that is not motivated by the accumulation of more and more possessions? Is it even possible to live a life apart from the accumulation of money and possessions as our immortality symbols?”
Yes, of course it is possible. The key, it seems, is to discover and pursue new immortality projects—to make a conscience decision to not allow the appeal of the visible to crowd out its invisible competitors.
As a result, we choose to live a life of significance by embracing integrity, trustworthiness, honesty, and responsibility. We choose to touch the lives of others in meaningful ways by meeting their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. We seek to elevate others rather than ourselves. We invest in justice and equality. Through work, we contribute to society rather than only ourselves. And above all else, we choose to champion and excel in love.
By seeking these invisible immortality symbols, we address our need for significance and we satisfy our desire for immortality. We impact the lives of others and outlive our physical lives. And removing the pursuit of physical possessions from our affections provides even more opportunity to secure true immortality symbols.
Ah yes – so much complexity around living simply.
The fear of death, even the fear of dying insignificantly, is actually the fear of not existing at all – a condition quite natural to finding oneself conscious of existence. But the fear of not existing simply betrays a lack of appreciation or gratitude for the miracle of existing. And a desire for immortality in any form betrays an almost total ingratitude.
Projects, symbols, legacies – our minds spend so much energy (awareness) trying to understand and control the conditions of existence that we’ve little left for appreciating it while it happens.
The solution is amazingly simple: At any moment of consciousness, are we thankful for existing – no matter its conditions? Is our mind quietly saying “Thank You”? Try it. A loving, simple, and memorable life follows quite naturally.
Joshua – heartfelt thanks for creating the condition for an opportunity to post.
Thank you for this well articulated post, especially the examples you give of true immortality symbols.
My motivation to own less can be found in caring for my spiritual needs. Meeting those needs is an on going process, but in doing so, I become less fearful of death, a higher quality person, and more in tune with the needs of others and how to help them meet their own needs, physical and spiritual.
“Stop storing up for yourselves treasures on the earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal. Rather, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6.19-21
I have had several life-threatening experiences in the course of my life-time and I have learned the hard way the value of keeping a simple life: Life itself is a most generous gift, and all the rest is “cream”: ‘Stop seeking great things for yourself…I will grant you your life as a spoil’ Jeremiah 45.5
I think the assertion by Becker is a touch one dimensional, at least the portion quoted.
Most possessions do not represent the accumulation of lasting wealth. If anything, to his other point, consumption is a distraction from our fate or from some present suffering. The mid-life crisis cliche of buying a flashy car is more about avoiding the reality of mortality than establishing immortality.
Thank you for saying what we often run away from. I have been struggling with my significance this week and wanting to be the best and the favorite, have been reminded many times that the disciples themselves were wanting to be the best and favorite, thanks for sharing in your humble way. May my life in no way be about me.
Are children an immortality project?
This article was really great. Thanks for writing!
I am an average woman, and as such, even if I aim to be a simple, honest, helpful person with “immortal spirituality”, if I am lucky, maybe the next two or three generations of my family will remember me. Therefore I tend to not look into “immortality”, but focusing on my contentment and the happiness of my family and the people around me.
Interesting. I never thought about the pursuit of wealth and things as a means to showing that we were here–that we mattered. I went back to teaching 3rd grade a year ago and I think a lot of my decision came from wanting to leave a legacy..to inspire and to have significance in my life. Funny thing, my simplifying journey (in earnest) started at the same time. Once I found what mattered, the material things were so easy to let go of.
immortality projects. yes! i’ve not heard of this concept. perfect, because OF COURSE we want to stand out & make a difference.
& peaceful, yes. your writing is ever so peaceful. perfect on a weekend morning.
thank you!
Why not learn to accept extinction with insignificance?
Nice thoughts. Reminds me of an observation by Professor Mark Muesse of Rhodes College who writes about the practice of mindfulness meditation. “The acceptance of loss actually helps us relax and be less anxious. The majority of our actions suggest that we believe that acquiring and holding on to the people and things that give us pleasure will put our lives at ease. However it is only by relinquishing our attachment to everything we think will make us happy that we can actually be happy. Mindfulness allows us to see this truth and empowers us to act on it.”
Wonderful post as always. We all do struggle with the same self centered issues in a way that wants to tell the world, ” Hey, I’m here and my life here matters.” We all want our existence recognized, hopefully, in a positive way. So we leave our legacy in the best way our own soul knows how to express.
Great Post thanks Joshua,
My life for 40 years was based on having more and better things than others i.e. living in the future. I then fell into alcoholism and drug use and spent 6 years living in the past full of guilt, remorse and anger. Now I’m living for today, having lost everything I can honestly say I’m now enjoying life more than ever and a big part of that is being honest, humble and giving back to others.
Thanks for this great post, Joshua. I really like the distinction of immortality projects focused on contribution to bring significance to our lives. Although I do think it is necessary to also change our mindset and how we are being in the world when we pursue significance instead of pursuing money. What would be different if we pursue immortality projects as ruthlessly as we do money?
As a retired woman looking back on my life it is easy to see that the things I did were more important than the things I owned. I am so pleased to see the younger generations realizing this earlier than I did.
This is was so inspiring, thank you for sharing
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Joshua,
Thank you for sharing this. It provides a great perspective, and also a reason for minimalism. It is not to eliminate everything to the bare minimum, but rather to eliminate the meaningless so that one can replace it with the truly important and meaningful. Y
Great post! I found the explanation of why people don’t take to minimalism really interesting. I would like to offer that your thoughts, “we choose to live a life of significance by embracing integrity, trustworthiness, honesty, and responsibility. We choose to touch the lives of others in meaningful ways by meeting their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs” are also along the lines of the Christian faith, choosing to feel free from money (or any other burden) because of the gospel. The values are very similar, though the reasons behind why they (and I) embrace them might be different.
Sarah m
Wow, Joshua, this is a very inspiring piece and one I truly needed to read right now. I just tweeted this whole article because it is such an important topic, and you express it so clearly and well.
I’m struggling with making a huge life decision based on this very concept, minimalism. Long story short – it’s hard to undo the deep programming our culture seems to embed in us that tangles success with money.
It’s taking alot of clarity work to untangle the two.
Thank you so much.
Allison
Seek hard work and contribution. You’ll find a new programming.
This post came at the right time for me. I have this bad habit where I am always comparing myself to others to ensure that I’m better. Why do I need to be better? Because I need to be unique or special in some way. Otherwise I’m insignificant being just another human on this overcrowded planet. This post kind of put into words what I was thinking about and how to deal with it. Thank you!
Thanks so much. I always appreciate your insight.
Mother Theresa. Someone recognized and remembered by people around the world, who lived the most minimal life possible.
Wonderful! I was thinking about this very topic these last few weeks and wondering, what next? We have minimized so much and now it’s time to replace material possessions with the eternal. But, what does that look like? How do I share this with my children? Even if I can dare to want less, how can I pass this longing onto the next generation?
Thank you for writing this piece!
You can set an example for them in a world that won’t.
Great post as always. Your writing is so peaceful which is probably a reflection of your life. I am very inspired by your example. Thank you.
Peaceful. I appreciate that description very much.
You two Becker men are so smart. We see it everyday, people buying into the notion of ‘he who dies with the most toys wins’.
Immortality project is such a great way to describe the turning inward, to personal betterment and helping others, instead of material gains.
Thanks for yet another wonderful article!
@ Britt…and now we on the path to minimalism must be very very careful of the inverse…’he who dies with the least wins’…
Great insight, no doubt man is looking for significance! It is explains the mid-life crisis! And yet when those occur more often or not, someone goes out and purchases a nice car! Certainly wealth also provides security, yet truth be known it cannot be taken to the grave and someone else will end up with your wealth!
“He who dies with wealth, dies disgraced.” —Andrew Carnegie
I live in Andrew Carnegie’s home town ~Dunfermline,Scotland. When he was a wee boy he was poor and most of the people in the town were shut out of a large estate.
Years later Andrew bought it and gifted it to the town. Locals call it The Glen, but it is officially known as Pittencrieff Park. I walk there most days with my dog, Charlie and we are very thankful for such a wonderful person who has left a great legacy, not just for Dunfermline, but the world.If you ever come to Scotland, I’d be glad to show you around!
Carnegie posited that those with wealth should create things, instead of giving their money to inheritance. The construction of libraries, public facilities, schools, etc, is just another manifestation of an immortality symbol.
Great insightful piece! Are you somehow related to Ernest Becker?
Nope, no relation. But thanks for asking so I could clear that up.