I read for decades before stumbling across Ernest Becker’s (1924 – 1974) name as a footnote in a book (James W. Fowler’s Stages of Faith). I began reading his works, and I knew almost right away that what he was saying not only gave language to so much of my lived-experience, but provided the theoretical construct I had been searching for since my mid-twenties. It is impossible to overstate the importance of Ernest Becker to the construction of my world-view. Three essential works:
The Denial of Death
Escape from Evil
The Birth and Death of Meaning: An Interdisciplinary Perspective on the Problem of Man
Ernest Becker lives on in the work of those who developed and continue to do research in Terror Management Theory and the Ernest Becker Foundation (http://www.ernestbecker.org/).
G'Nat's Eye View 
Becker was a cornerstone of my teaching (sociology) for over 30 years after I discovered his work by accident in 1980 while still a student at Simon Fraser University, the last place he worked. I was a student at SFU from 1972 until 1981 but I never met Becker personally. His work is exception in its depth and urgency. I used Escape From Evil as one of the texts in a race and ethnic relations course I taught for decades at North Island College, a small 2 year college on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. I’m retired now but I plan to write about Becker’s work (and Rank) for years to come. Glad to see someone else as passionate about Becker’s work as I am.
Becker changed my life in many ways. I was beginning to think I was crazy until I read his work–particularly Denial of Death and Escape from Evil. That’s, of course, where I came across Rank.
I have found that Terror Management Theory is an interesting area to read in to find out how Becker continues to be influential today. Very interesting stuff.
My area of teaching was humanities and critical thinking–also at a two year college–for almost 20 years. I’m now in administration. Really looking forward to what you write about Rank and Becker.
I found Becker’s writing compelling… have you seen the Patrick Shen documentary on it? http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365215/
No–Thanks for forwarding the URL. Becker’s writing changed my perspective. So glad to have stumbled upon his writing.
I clicked on the URL–Yes I have seen the video. Really helpful in understanding Terror Management Theory as an extension of Becker’s thinking and writing.
I have to concur with you, Becker has added a great deal to my understanding of some of the ‘craziness’ in the world at large, great to be able to share that insight with you!!
I had Patrick Shen and Greg Bennick up to Courtenay and Victoria for a showing of Flight From Death. They were very eloquent in their elaboration of Becker’s work. I still watch the film now and again.
The TMT group is amazing–wonderful educators but also existential researchers. Becker and they have given me a much better understanding of the underlying scaffolding of existence.
My favorite Becker quote: “If everybody lives roughly the same lies about the same things, there is no one to call them liars. They jointly establish their own sanity and call themselves normal”
I like that as well. He had uncanny insight.
A line from W. H. Auden describes this human dishonesty as grouping together in little comfy enclaves “where we bask, agreed upon what we will not ask, bland, sunny, and adjusted by the light of the collected lie.”
Love the quote! It’s perfect. Thank you.
Denial of Death is one of the best books..
Yes–a life-changer to be sure.
I haven’t read Becker in a couple of decades but still have his books. Perusing your site this morning has motivated me to read him again. I remember Denial of Death as being painfully insightful about the human predicament. Sorry he had to die so young. Thanks for the good work you do.
Thank for your kind words. Becker is indeed painful to read–but so much in my life did not make sense until I had read him. There was almost an audible “click”–Ahh–so that’s how it works.
I feel a little ignorant commenting on this, as I have never heard of Ernest Becker, but my interest is now piqued, and I shall be investigating him further. Definitely want to read his book The Denial of Death, & the documentary mentioned above. Thanks for this.
It might help to start with the documentary–it lays out in easily understandable terms the basic tenets of Becker’s teaching/writing.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/885123000
I had not read that before now…thank you.
I read Becker in high school, when an amazing teacher of mine used The Denial of Death as a framework through which to discuss American Literature. I think about the concepts he illuminates in that book on a regular basis, when thinking about my own creative endeavors. I also loved scrolling through your photo blog! Thanks for reminding me of Becker’s other works that I have yet to read…I’m putting them on my list!
You are very kind. Amazing that you had a teacher give you this book in high school! What a fascinating framework for literature–and what a fascinating person your teacher must have been.