Tom Pyszczynski
International Society for the Science
of Existential Psychology
Originally published May 3, 2021
Human beings are animals. For many people that’s a disturbing thought – we’ll talk about why this idea is troubling later. The biological and psychological systems that keep us alive are remarkably similar to those found in other species. This is because human beings evolved through a long process of natural selection that resulted in adaptations that initially emerged in other species long before our kind existed. Natural selection provided our species and all other animals a set of biological needs that motivate behavior aimed at staying alive, which of course is necessary for having sex and producing offspring that carry on one’s genes. All animals are motivated to procure the basic necessities of life (food, water, warmth, safety) that enable them to stay alive long enough to mate with other members of its species, because, in the distant past, these tendencies increased the likelihood that its ancestors passed on the genes responsible for these motives.
In this essay, we will consider how natural selection led to some uniquely human ways of meeting those biological needs—adaptations that set off a cascade of developments that led to a new and different type of animal. In particular, we’ll focus on the transition from biological needs to existential motives—needs that result from the uniquely human awareness of the facts of life, or the “givens” of existence. This awareness gives rise to an entirely new set of needs and desires that go far beyond the simple necessities of life.
Here are some thoughts:
The essay delves into the uniquely human cognitive abilities—symbolic thought, mental time travel, and self-awareness—that set us apart from other animals and lead to existential concerns. Culture becomes essential in providing meaning, shaping our values, and meeting existential needs through socially validated beliefs and shared understandings. Grounded in Terror Management Theory (TMT), the essay discusses how awareness of mortality creates an existential fear we manage by attributing meaning to life and value to ourselves. This is achieved largely through cultural worldviews that offer frameworks for understanding our lives, pursuing meaning, and developing self-esteem. The pursuit of self-esteem thus serves as a master motive, driving behaviors aligned with cultural values. In facing mortality, humans seek both literal and symbolic immortality through lasting contributions or beliefs in an afterlife, aiming to transcend the limits of existence. Through this lens, TMT provides insight into the depth of human motivation and the unique ways we strive to find purpose amid life’s uncertainties.
