Award Winning Documentary at NYU

The Ernest Becker Foundation will sponsor a two-day conference entitled Thoughts on War, Death, and Freedom. Through film, presentations, and workshops the conference will relate the work of contemporary scientists, thinkers and writers, and of the late cultural anthropologist and social theorist, Ernest Becker, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book Denial of Death, to current issues of war and freedom. It will begin at 10:00 AM Saturday May 14 with a showing of the award-winning documentary Flight from Death, immediately followed by a keynote address by Sheldon Solomon. Registration and coffee will begin at 9:00 AM at New York University, Silver Center, 32 Waverly Place/100 Washington Square, New York, NY.

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) March 6, 2005 -- The Ernest Becker Foundation announced today that it will sponsor a two-day conference at New York University entitled Thoughts on War, Death, and Freedom.

Through film, presentations, and workshops the conference will relate the work of contemporary scientists, thinkers and writers, and of the late cultural anthropologist and social theorist, Ernest Becker, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book Denial of Death, to current issues of war and freedom.

Flight from Death explores the ways in which human behaviors, especially violence, are affected by human beings' innate and subconscious fear of death. Through stunning visuals and insightful interviews, this multi award-winning film, narrated by Gabriel Byrne, is the culmination of many years of research and shooting in locations such as Egypt, Israel, Thailand, Guyana, Greece, Afghanistan, Mexico and China. It features interviews with leading scholars, philosophers, researchers and authors such as Sam Keen, Robert Jay Lifton, Sheldon Solomon, and Irvin Yalom.

The event will feature a number of accomplished theorists, researchers, and practitioners who will convene for the shared project of exploring how the work of social scientists, contemporary thinkers, and Ernest Becker pertains to understanding-and perhaps remedying-the most pervasive pattern of human history: our curious inability to peacefully coexist with different others. The diverse backgrounds and perspectives of the speakers will make for a singularly rich intellectual experience.

Keynote speaker Sheldon Solomon is a Professor of Psychology at Skidmore College. His current research in experimental social psychology is primarily concerned with the psychological functions of self-esteem and the effects of specific political and economic institutions on mental health. Dr. Solomon is one of the foremost authorities on Terror Management Theory, a means of examining, human response to mortality anxiety. He has published numerous social psychology papers and is co-author of In the Wake of 9/11: The Psychology of Terror.

Distinguished guest Sue Erickson Bloland has written for the Atlantic Monthly and Psychoanalytic Dialogues and has given numerous lectures on fame. Her recent book, In the Shadow of Fame, is based largely on her experience growing up with her famous father, Erick Erickson. She is a practicing psychotherapist in New York City and a faculty member at the Manhattan Institute for Psychoanalysis.

Social critic Kirby Farrell, Ph.D. is a professor of English at University of Massachusetts Amherst. Doctor Farrell's interest in cultural studies has shaped his latest book, Post-Traumatic Culture: Injury and Interpretation in the 90's, which explores contemporary culture. Currently he is at work on a study titled The Berserk Style in American Culture. Professor Farrell has lectured here and abroad on literature and culture, on radical existential criticism, the psychology of violence, and social justice.

Jerry S. Piven, Ph.D. teaches psychology at New School University and New York University. He is the editor of The Psychology of Death in Fantasy and History and Terrorism, Jihad, and Sacred Vengeance, and is the author of Death and Delusion: A Freudian Analysis of Mortal Terror, The Madness and Perversion of Yukio Mishima, and numerous articles on psychoanalysis, religion, and history. He is currently editing a book called Death, Religion, and Evil.

Thoughts on War, Death, and Freedom will begin at 10:00 AM Saturday May 14 with a showing of the award-winning documentary Flight from Death, immediately followed by a keynote address by Sheldon Solomon. Registration and coffee will begin at 9:00 AM at New York University, Silver Center, 32 Waverly Place/100 Washington Square, New York, NY. For reservations call 203-341-9572

About Ernest Becker Foundation:
Since 1995 the Ernest Becker Foundation has sponsored annual multidisciplinary conferences that explore the many manifestations of violence in society. Each has had a different focus but a common goal, that of sharing knowledge between specialists and the general public. For more information visit www.ErnestBecker.org.

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Generic notes for editors:
For further information, please contact: Stephen James 203-341-9572