Ernest Becker and Heroism

In this lecture we investigate what Ernest Becker called the universal urge to heroism. We look at the different ways Becker proposed individuals strive for heroism, and introduce what he called genuine heroism.
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Recommended Readings:

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[nicholasschroeder]

Doing difficult mental and physical tasks does it. It's the act of overcoming that makes one feel fully alive. A good one I heard the other day: "What other people think of you is none of your business." Be your own hero.

[alexb]

I believe that these set of ideas gave a pretty nihilistic view on heroism. The undertone of "any attempt at heroism is ultimately self delusion or doomed for failure" isn't the full story. Morality is complicated. Heroism isn't always you vs the world -- it isn't always a competition. I believe our desire for heroism is easy to get confused with our biologic tendencies towards competition and dominance in simplistic hierarchies. They sort of shade into each other.

Yet for me at least, when I watch movies with superheroes or heroic events, at no point am I comparing one person to the other. There's a certain character associated with heroes that I wish to emulate. I think the marvel movies give a good depiction of this point -- there are hundreds of heroes throughout the movie, it seems. The avengers in particular showcases plenty of heroes. Of course some comparisons are made amongst people who ask things like "who is your favorite one?", but ultimately they are all admirable and all speak to something inside us that we wish to express and live by.

In short, I don't believe the thing inside of you that is desperate to express itself requires you being the absolute best at something in comparison to other people. I also don't believe it requires an illusion that convinces you that something that doesn't mean a damned thing is actually super important.

We don't understand what drives us. We don't know why the thoughts that pop into our head actually pop into our head. We don't understand why certain music evokes deep feelings of meaning and inspire us.

Sure, we understand some of it. We aren't a stupid species. But we also understood plenty about the earth before we found out it was round and was orbiting the sun.

Philosophers are beautiful thinkers that shed a lot of light on a very complicated process. But don't let their stunning intelligence scare you away from your hopeful internal voice. We would not be capable of this emotion -- of empathizing with heroes, if it was all for not. It doesn't make sense that all of what drives us, drives us towards an illusion. It doesn't make sense that everything that makes us into our best selves, requires us to trivialize everyone else's existence by comparison. There's a way out of this foggy mess that brings us together, fills us with meaning, and isn't absolutely impossible. Maybe it will be hard, and messy, and possibly even out of the reach of our lifetime... but that's what makes it heroic.

[tfunknationtown]

Have to admit, I think there was a lot missing from the intricacies that could be derived from The Denial of Death, and I suggest everyone read the book. Not accusing the OP of any failure, but Becker has a lot to say in such a short book that is worth reading. This whole video could have been made from the introduction and chapter 3/4 of the book.

[emiliodauvin]

If something is meaningful or not is always relative. A matter of perspective. Discussing meaning is futile. Discussing how to bring perspectives together is more worthwhile.

More importantly, a meaningless existence is not necessarily not a wonder, a miracle, just existing in itself can be a marvel to ponder on each day, without any need for “illusion”.

[colby]

“Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather must recognize that it is he who is asked. In a word, each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only respond by being responsible.” - Viktor Frankl

[thadtuiol]

Protip: Don't bring up Becker on a first date.

[Joytotheworld]

7:51 is really honest. And yet all we can do is rage, cry, defend, then laugh about it.

[spiritualopportunism]

"What is the most legitimate foolishness?" It's funny cause it's true!

[arnebouten]

If the different types or heroism are like life rafts, it seems a good plan to spread your weight over several instead to rely solely on one. This also enables us to shift weight lest one becomes less buoyent due to out-of-our-control circumstances (i.e. your social position changes, illness, etc.)

[van_trini]

Listening to your old videos is a trip, it sounds like you, but slightly sped up.

[shlomibod]

I would define it by this: a philosophical structure based on psychologic thought.

[ricardoafonso]

This is such a difficult conversation topic to have with any of your friends. Anyone from Amsterdam around for a coffee on this topic?

[libreria_literata]

Congratulations for your channel. Greetings from Chile.

[andrewboisvert]

Genuine hero=add chaos/confusion live it in bliss

[M]

Becker didn't think that making love or listening to music was meaningless. Obviously our experiences are meaningful, to deny that would be to deny brute fact. He claimed that human life is insignificant in the scheme of things, meaning that what we do really doesn't make any difference to anything. But he thought that we need to believe that it does (hence the urge to heroism) because we are aware that death awaits us.

[heyassmanx]

The scale of the universe is a relative scale. And you are the same as it since you are derived from it. Humans are just another of the infinite manifestations of the universe so why would they have any more or any less value then anything else in it? What would something's size have do with with it's MEANING anyway?? Electrons still MEAN something...

[adamserrecchia]

I save myself..poist meaning in my life.. I'm a hero to myself.. expect adversity daily and be eager to overcome 🗡️

[hanskung]

Going to the DMV contributes to my heroism.

[JoshYates]

Well....I am definitely a Genuine Hero.

[aruntheeban]

Can someone please explain what is said @9:18? Couldn't get what it means.