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Quote by Ernest Becker

“The masses look to the leaders to give them just the untruth that they need; the leader continues the illusions that triumph over the castration complex and magnifies them into a truly heroic victory. Furthermore, he makes possible a new experience, the expression of forbidden impulses, secret wishes, and fantasies. In group behavior anything goes because the leader okays it. It is like being an omnipotent infant again, encouraged by the parent to indulge oneself plentifully, or like being in psychoanalytic therapy where the analyst doesn't censure you for anything you feel or think. In the group each man seems an omnipotent hero who can give full vent to his appetites under the approving eye of the father. And so we understand the terrifying sadism of group activity.”

Quote by Ernest Becker

Work

The Denial of Death

This book delves into the psychological mechanisms that drive individuals to repress thoughts of death, examining the various coping strategies and cultural responses to the inevitability of mortality. more

Author

Ernest Becker
Ernest Becker

Ernest Becker was an American anthropologist known for his theories on human motivation and culture. His major work, 'The Denial of Death', explores how humans seek meaning and purpose by denying the fear brought by freedom. more

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