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More than one hundred years ago, the American philosopher William James dubbed the knowledge that we must die “the worm at the core” of the human condition. In 1974, cultural anthropologist Ernest…
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I could have been born in the third century as a goat herder in Mongolia, or even as a goat. This is the realization that should open up a mental horizon where we can say, 'I know I'm going to die – maybe in the future, maybe in the next few minutes – and therefore every minute I'm here is precious.'
— Sheldon SolomonTerror Management Theory researcher & social psychologist
At the risk of being glib, in the United States, most of the narcissistic sociopaths are also devoutly religious...
— Sheldon SolomonTerror Management Theory researcher & social psychologist
Without what Becker called 'cultural world views' we would be overwhelmed by existential terror. Beliefs about reality that we share foster psychological equanimity by giving us a sense of meaning and value.
— Sheldon SolomonTerror Management Theory researcher & social psychologist
We're breathing, defecating pieces of meat that are no more significant or enduring than lizards or potatoes.
— Sheldon SolomonTerror Management Theory researcher & social psychologist
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