Denial of death

Why do we bother creating things when we know that we are ultimately going to die sooner or later?

Ernest Becker, an American anthropologist, believed there is tension within us that struggles with meaning and meaninglessness. We are all mere biological beings, but we have this amazing symbolic side to us that can create the most beautiful melodies, pieces of art and literature – all while our biological clock ticks away, reminding us that there will be an end. Maybe, just maybe, if we can absorb ourselves in things that provide us with purpose, we can avoid/ignore/escape from the terrifying notion of our impending doom.

Maybe if we can produce something incredible, we can cheat death. Maybe we can achieve significance rather than insignificance, maybe we can strive for permanence, because it’s got to be better than impermanence?! Maybe we can in some way achieve immortality through our creativity?

What do you think of this idea? Do you have your own immortality project? Is this what creates human civilisation: lots and lots of individual immortality projects helping (hopefully) to advance our society in some way by shaping its culture?