The Denial of Death

Feast of St Titus the Wonderworker
Anno Domini 2020, April 2

WILLIAM JAMES referred to death as “the worm at the core” of man’s pretensions to happiness. We are self-aware creatures whose minds can take in the universe, yet we must, without exception, return to dust. In this Pulitzer Prize-winning classic, cultural anthropologist Ernest Becker explores the many ways in which man attempts to avoid the terror and inevitability of death. Becker contends that the “denial of death” pervades human culture and is one of the deepest sources of intolerance, aggression, and evil. Drawing upon a diverse array of psychological and philosophical sources, Becker argues that anxiety about our mortal condition leads us to undertake a variety of projects to create an illusion of immortality. He posits that one of the main functions of culture is to aid in the creation of such illusions. Identification with one or another “immortality system,” Becker believes, often leads to polarizations, with frequently disastrous consequences. Thus, Muslims attack Christians, Protestants attack Catholics, and humanists and the religious attack one another, each attempting to establish their own unique version of reality by suppressing that of others. The list of such conflicts goes back and forth endlessly. Becker’s cultural observations are particularly compelling. Though the book is not a “spiritual” work in the usual sense, Becker’s conclusion that the self must be “brought down to nothing” in order to move on to the possibility of “cosmic heroism” certainly opens the door toward a fundamental humility and the possibility of a transcendent reality. It’s the bad news without which the Good News makes little sense.

314 pp. paper $16.99

Eighth Day Members (Patrons+) receive 10% discount

Exercise the virtue of patience, resist Amazon, and support Eighth Day Books. Give them a call at 1.800.841.2541 between 10 am and 8 pm CST Mon-Sat and engage in a conversation about books and ideas with a live human person who reads books and loves to discuss them. Or, if you insist, visit their website at www.eighthdaybooks.com.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Support Cultural Renewal by Contributing to the Inklings Fall Fundraiser

Contribute to Cultural Renewal by Sharing on Your Preferred Platform

In an isolating secularized culture where the Church's voice is muffled through her many divisions, Christians need all the help they can get to strengthen their faith in God and love toward their neighbor. Eighth Day Institute offers hope to all Christians through our adherence to the Nicene faith, our ecumenical dialogues of love and truth, and our many events and publications to strengthen faith, grow in wisdom, and foster Christian friendships of love. Will you join us in our efforts to renew soul & city? Donate today and join the community of Eighth Day Members who are working together to renew culture through faith & learning.

Sisters of Sophia presents Florence Nightingale, Clara Barton, and St Verena on Feb. 17, 2026

By Michael Simmon • February 11, 2026

The Sisters of Sophia will gather on the Commemoration of the Great Martyr Theodore, Anno Domini 2026, February 17. Rachel Garton will present The Battlefield of Compassion: Florence Nightingale, Clara Barton, and St Verena . Sisters of Sophia When Every third Tuesday Where The Ladder 2836 E Douglas, Wichita Parking available behind Eighth Day Books Schedule Food, drink, and fellowship at 6:30pm Eighth Day Convocation & Lecture at 7:20pm Membership Required? No, but do consider joining the community! Learn more and join here !

Hall of Men presents St. John Henry Newman on Feb 12, 2026

By Michael Simmon • February 11, 2026

The Hall of Men will gather Thursday evening on the commemoration of St Meletius, Archbishop of Antioch, Anno Domini 2026, February 12. David Beutel will present on St. John Henry Newman. St. John Henry Newman (21 February 1801 – 11 August 1890) was an English Catholic theologian, academic, philosopher, historian, writer, and poet. He was previously an Anglican priest, and after his conversion to Catholicism, became a cardinal. Newman's beatification was proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI on 19 September 2010 during his visit to the United Kingdom. His canonization was officially approved by Pope Francis on 12 February 2019, and took place on 13 October 2019. Come and jo in us for the first toast of 2026 at the Hall of Men! If you haven’t seen a Catholic listen to the life story of John Wesley; if you haven’t watched a Protestant learn about Evagrius of Pontus; and if you haven’t seen Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant men sit around a table together and talk theology until midnight . . . then you need to come to the Hall of Men. When The commemoration of St Meletius, Archbishop of Antioch, Anno Domini 2026, February 12. Where The Ladder at 2836 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS 67214 Schedule Doors Open at 7 pm Food is served at 7:30pm Eighth Day Convocation at 8:30pm Presentation and toast by Derek Hale immediately following Convocation. Membership Required? No, but do consider joining the community! Learn more and join today here .

The Denial of Death

Feast of St Titus the Wonderworker
Anno Domini 2020, April 2

Sisters of Sophia presents Florence Nightingale, Clara Barton, and St Verena on Feb. 17, 2026

Hall of Men presents St. John Henry Newman on Feb 12, 2026

The Christian & The Media: Malcolm Muggeridge's Lectures at the 1976 London Lectures in Contemporary Christianity

The Pattern of Glory - Pt 2

An Epistolary Encounter: Charles Williams and C. S. Lewis First Meet in Letters

The Assumption

The Pattern of Glory - Pt I

Preface to Essays Presented to Charles Williams

The Third Lewis

Three Threefold Groups of Angels...on the First Hierarchy

The Denial of Death

Feast of St Titus the WonderworkerAnno Domini 2020, April 2

Feast of St Titus the Wonderworker
Anno Domini 2020, April 2