Skidmore
Sheldon Solomon
Richard Van Deusen presides
Humans manage the terror of death by adhering to culturally constructed beliefs about reality that provide a sense that one is a person of value in a world of meaning, and thus eligible for either literal or symbolic immortality. The quest for immortality underlies some of humankind’s most noble achievements. However, it also engenders some of our most ignominious affectations, including: hostility and disdain for people with different beliefs; indifference to, or contempt for, the natural environment; and, the mindless pursuit of material possessions—which, if unchecked, may render humans the first form of life responsible for their own extinction.
Sheldon Solomon is Professor of Psychology at Skidmore College. His work exploring the effects of the uniquely human awareness of death on individual and social behavior has been supported by the National Science Foundation and the Ernest Becker Foundation and was featured in the award winning documentary film Flight from Death: The Quest for Immortality. He is co-author of In the Wake of 9/11: The Psychology of Terror and The Worm at the Core: On the Role of Death in Life.
Entry to our 100-year-old building and meeting rooms is available for most wheelchair users with prior arrangements. Please call ahead (212-874-5210 x107) for setup of our portable system and plan to arrive one hour before start time.
When: Sun., Jan. 31, 2016 at 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Where: New York Society for Ethical Culture
2 W. 64th St.
212-874-5210
Price: Free
Buy tickets/get more info now
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Skidmore
Sheldon Solomon
Richard Van Deusen presides
Humans manage the terror of death by adhering to culturally constructed beliefs about reality that provide a sense that one is a person of value in a world of meaning, and thus eligible for either literal or symbolic immortality. The quest for immortality underlies some of humankind’s most noble achievements. However, it also engenders some of our most ignominious affectations, including: hostility and disdain for people with different beliefs; indifference to, or contempt for, the natural environment; and, the mindless pursuit of material possessions—which, if unchecked, may render humans the first form of life responsible for their own extinction.
Sheldon Solomon is Professor of Psychology at Skidmore College. His work exploring the effects of the uniquely human awareness of death on individual and social behavior has been supported by the National Science Foundation and the Ernest Becker Foundation and was featured in the award winning documentary film Flight from Death: The Quest for Immortality. He is co-author of In the Wake of 9/11: The Psychology of Terror and The Worm at the Core: On the Role of Death in Life.
Entry to our 100-year-old building and meeting rooms is available for most wheelchair users with prior arrangements. Please call ahead (212-874-5210 x107) for setup of our portable system and plan to arrive one hour before start time.
Buy tickets/get more info now
When: Sun., Jan. 31, 2016 at 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
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