The Worm at the Core: On the Role of Death in Life

Sheldon Solomon · Jeff Greenberg · Tom Pyszczynski

May 2015 · Tantor Media Inc · Narrated by John Pruden

About this audiobook

More than one hundred years ago, the American philosopher William James wrote that the knowledge that we must die is "the worm at the core" of the human condition-a universally shared fear that informs all our thoughts and actions, from the great art we create to the devastating wars we wage. Using data collected from human subjects, Sheldon Solomon, Jeff Greenberg, and Tom Pyszczynski show conclusively that the fear of death and the desire to transcend it inspire us to buy expensive cars, crave fame, put our health at risk, and disguise our animal nature. The fear of death can also prompt judges to dole out harsher punishments, make children react negatively to people different from themselves, and inflame intolerance and violence. But the worm at the core need not consume us. This book also reveals how human beings have come to terms with death and learned to lead lives of courage, creativity, and compassion. It infuses our lives with order, stability, significance, and purpose, and these anchors enable us to function moment to moment without becoming overwhelmed by the knowledge of our ultimate fate.

Ratings and reviews

A must read for any Ernest Becker enthusiast. Empirical test results from Becker's theories with plain English explanations. A great gift for yourself and others. Understand the reason for human behavior like never before with insight.

About the author

Sheldon Solomon is a professor of social psychology who teaches at Skidmore College.

Jeff Greenberg is a social psychology professor at the University of Arizona.

Tom Pyszczynski is a social psychologist, and he is notable, together with Jeff Greenberg and Sheldon Solomon, for founding the field of Terror Management Theory (TMT).

John Pruden is a professional voice actor who records audiobooks, corporate and online training narrations, animation and video game characters, and radio and TV commercials. An AudioFile Earphones Award winner, John has a solid creative foundation from which to draw for his intelligent audiobook narrations.