How long does it take to read The Birth and Death of Meaning?
The Birth and Death of Meaning by Ernest Becker takes about 3 hours 51 minutes to read at 250 words a minute.
About 3 hours 51 minutes
A weekend read
First published 1962. 210 pages, about 57,750 words.
8 days at 30 minutes a day
Estimate based on 275 words per page.
At other speeds
| Slow, 150 words a minute | 6 hours 25 minutes |
| Average, 250 words a minute | 3 hours 51 minutes |
| Fast, 400 words a minute | 2 hours 24 minutes |
The page count is the median across 13 editions, so your copy may differ. How we calculate.
About the book
This book represents the first of Becker's final trilogy, what can be considered his mature theoretical work. In this book, Becker begins his presentation of what he confidently feels is a unified and well rounded general theory of human nature. He also has come to terms with Freud and Freudian theory, meaning that he is now able to deal appreciatively with what psychoanalysis has contributed with this general theory of human nature. It is also important to note that Becker also announces in his Preface that he now recognizes the fact that in his earlier work, he had slighted the underside of human nature. That is, as a social scientist in the tradition of Rousseau, he was dedicated to the view that human nature is essentially neutral or good and that it is corrupted by the social environment. The theory presented now in his mature work has come to a more clear understanding of the element of the darker side, the side of human nature which is evil and vicious. This considerably sobers his earlier optimism about human possibilities and potentials, guided by an actively engaged social science. As is clear, however, Becker’s recognition of the element of human viciousness and evil does not push him toward cynicism or despair. Adapted from [The Ernest Becker Foundation book description]
Subjects: Psychiatry, Human behavior, Philosophical anthropology, Anthropology, Behavior, Psychiatrie
