The Worm at the Core

On the Role of Death in Life

By: Jeff Greenberg, Sheldon Solomon, Tom Pyszczynski

Narrated by: John Pruden

More than 100 years ago, the American philosopher William James wrote that the knowledge that we must die is "the worm at the core" of the human condition - a universally shared fear that informs all our thoughts and actions, from the great art we create to the devastating wars we wage. Using data collected from human subjects, Sheldon Solomon, Jeff Greenberg, and Tom Pyszczynski show conclusively that the fear of death and the desire to transcend it inspire us to buy expensive cars, crave fame, put our health at risk, and disguise our animal nature. The fear of death can also prompt judges to dole out harsher punishments, make children react negatively to people different from themselves, and inflame intolerance and violence. But the worm at the core need not consume us.

This audiobook also reveals how human beings have come to terms with death and learned to lead lives of courage, creativity, and compassion. It infuses our lives with order, stability, significance, and purpose, and these anchors enable us to function moment to moment without becoming overwhelmed by the knowledge of our ultimate fate.

©2015 Sheldon Solomon, Jeff Greenberg and Tom Pyszczynski (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"An intriguing and impressive summary of terror management theory and research suited to intellectually inclined general readers and students." ( Library Journal)

Super interesting reflection based on research about the ideas of our mortality. .

Excellent ideas and insights! Thanks to the research of the authors! I highly recommend this Audible.

Beware of "ISMS" !

This book was recommended by a frind as important for understanding the political divide, but it is far more insightful.

Valuable Perspective on Life

Presents basis for world views depending on your acceptance of death vs eternal everlasting life.

a simple masterpiece

an excellent book that really helps you ask yourself bigger questions. which we should never fail to do. a solid perspective enhancing book

Top five book

Probably the most important book I've read. It explains so many things about the human condition.

A deeper analysis on the subject of death

A great follow-up to the book by Ernest Becker, the denial of death, taking a more scientific approach to a problem that affects us all

Doing Death Justice

Amazing summary of research and speculation about the vast impact existential awareness has on all of us whether we know it or not. In this modern meaning vacuum of hyper connected isolated living we all need the reminder that life is short,so have the courage to craft the one you really want.

Skeptical at first, but they won me over.

I was skeptical at first—not to the idea that human beings are motivated by fear of death—but how far reaching the authors claimed the fear of death could be in influencing human behavior. By the middle of the book, I was won over to their thesis. We stave off death fears with our focus on self esteem and cultural identity. Found myself by the end of the book wanting to sit and have a beer with these three guys just to discuss it. Great read.

Accessible discussions about death

I’m not personally sold on the empiricism of Terror Management Theory after listening to Worm at the Core, but what the authors do in this book is very compelling to me as a discussion of a philosophy being brought to life by real-world observations. Highly recommend!!

Phenomenal

A must read if you like to think about things from an open mindset.