--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Since the main task of human life is to…" description: "\"“Since the main task of human life is to become heroic and transcend death, every culture must provide its members with an intricate symbolic system th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8aa/ernest-becker-7036_culture_since-the-main-task-of-human-life-is-to_2010749.jpg" --- # Since the main task of human life is to become heroic and… ![“Since the main task of human life is to become heroic and transcend death, every culture must provide its members with an intricate symbolic system that is covertly religious. This means that ideological conflicts between cultures are essentially battles between immortality projects, holy wars.” quote by Ernest Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8aa/ernest-becker-7036_culture_since-the-main-task-of-human-life-is-to_2010749.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8aa/ernest-becker-7036_culture_since-the-main-task-of-human-life-is-to_2010749.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8aa/ernest-becker-7036_culture_since-the-main-task-of-human-life-is-to_2010749.jpg) > ““Since the main task of human life is to become heroic and transcend death, every culture must provide its members with an intricate symbolic system that is covertly religious. This means that ideological conflicts between cultures are essentially battles between immortality projects, holy wars.”” [Ernest Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-becker/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human cultures create symbolic systems to pursue immortality, turning cultural conflicts into struggles over lasting meaning. **In simple terms:** Cultures use symbols to seek lasting significance, making conflicts battles over immortality. Key Takeaway Recognize how symbolic narratives shape conflicts. Themes culture meaning mortality conflict symbolism Mood reflective analytical critical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - political discourse - religious debates - personal identity formation - artistic expression Key Concepts Existentialism immortality projects symbolic systems Questions to Reflect On - How do your cultural symbols influence your sense of purpose? - What does “heroic” mean in modern life? A Different Perspective Symbolic systems can be manipulated to justify violence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culture/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Human life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-life/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [As you go into light for longer and longer periods, as you progress in your meditation practice, you transform, you become illumined, you overcome…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/as-you-go-into-light-for-longer-and-longer-periods-as-you-progress-in/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“That's what people say about Mexico," Morgan said, "a death culture, the Indians and their blood sacrifices mixed with all the Moorish-Christianity of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-hobhouse/that-s-what-people-say-about-mexico-morgan-said-a-death-culture-the/) Janet Hobhouse > [When men die, they enter history. 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