“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.
John says
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
Sarah M says
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
Allison says
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
joshua becker says
Seek hard work and contribution. You’ll find a new programming.
BrownVagabonder says
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!
joshua becker says
Thanks so much. I always appreciate your insight.
mindy says
Mother Theresa. Someone recognized and remembered by people around the world, who lived the most minimal life possible.
mary harvey says
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!
joshua becker says
You can set an example for them in a world that won’t.
Joe Bailey says
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.
joshua becker says
Peaceful. I appreciate that description very much.
Britt says
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!
Jo-Anne says
@ Britt…and now we on the path to minimalism must be very very careful of the inverse…’he who dies with the least wins’…
Kris says
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!
joshua becker says
“He who dies with wealth, dies disgraced.” —Andrew Carnegie
Liz Cain says
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!
Vinny Jessel says
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.
Jessica says
Great insightful piece! Are you somehow related to Ernest Becker?
joshua becker says
Nope, no relation. But thanks for asking so I could clear that up.