by David Fireman, LCSW
The awareness of mortality—our finite existence—stands as one of the defining features of human consciousness. Unlike other species, humans possess the capacity to comprehend our own inevitable demise. I believe this realization, universal and unavoidable, triggers an instinctive reaction of fear and horror. How we process this reaction—whether through empathy or denial—influences the quality of our awareness and the direction of our actions. One path leads to comfort, acceptance and connection, while the other spirals into selfishness, striving for immortality, omnipotence, permanent satisfaction, and denial of the inescapable truths of life.
Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey offers a striking allegory of this existential reckoning. In the film’s opening sequence, two groups of apes confront each other at a water hole, which we can interpret as a life-sustaining resource both groups want to control. The two alpha apes go to war while the others grunt and screech their support. One ape grabs a jawbone and strikes his opponent, who falls motionless. The victor, confused, pokes the body and “realizes” he’s taken the life of his enemy. At that moment, the ape throws the jawbone skyward and it transforms into a spaceship. This realization, laden with terror and triumph, results from the ape’s action to weaponize a bone, catalyzing the evolution of human invention. Yet this moment also encapsulates the duality of humanity’s response to death. Kubrick’s imagery masterfully highlights two possible paths: the pursuit of power and domination to defy mortality, or the embrace of mortality as a shared reality that binds humanity together.
Fear as the Catalyst
At its core, the awareness of death sparks fear. This fear, elemental and raw, is not inherently negative. It is a necessary and predictable reaction to the existential weight of understanding our finite existence. Fear of death can jolt us into action, whether through physical survival instincts or deeper psychological responses. However, it is the way the ego processes this fear that defines its trajectory.
The ego, as the conscious sense of self, faces a daunting task in processing the reality of mortality. The initial reaction is often one of horror—a visceral recoiling from the truth of finitude. This horror is an equalizer, experienced universally, yet it is not the final destination. Instead, it serves as a point of divergence: the ego must choose whether to engage with the fear, working through it to acceptance, or to retreat into denial, with potentially destructive consequences.
The Path of Empathy
When the ego engages sincerely with the fear of death, it can transform the initial horror into an acceptance of mortality. This processing acknowledges the universality of death as an experience shared by all humans. In doing so, it dismantles the illusion of separation between individuals. Mortality becomes not just a source of fear, but a catalyst for connection.
Acceptance of death fosters empathy, the recognition that others are also navigating the same existential realities. This empathic awareness leads to a desire for mutual support and comfort, transforming fear into a unifying force. It is a higher adaptation, one that elevates the quality of awareness by aligning with the realities of human existence rather than resisting them.
That said, acceptance is not a singular event. Instead, it is the fruit of a process often characterized by progression and regression. Nor is acceptance a miracle that wipes away the pain and disappointment of our mortal limits. Acceptance is an attitude of openness that does not deny the pain or difficulty of a situation, but allows for growth, peace, and even a sense of empowerment in the face of it. Acceptance is marked by an openness to what is, rather than a resistance or denial against it.
In addition, it is possible to correlate degrees of acceptance with developmental phases. For example, someone who is 70 is typically in closer proximity to death than someone in their 30’s. That is, the awareness of death as a REAL event is likely proportional to the health of the body and age, i.e., death is REALER to an older person than to someone who’s younger. Of course, trauma, illness, sudden loss, etc., are also likely to make death realer because its proximity is immediate and it is experienced “out of typical developmental sequence.” There are endless variations on this developmental theme but in this essay I can only outline the dynamic in general terms.
Empathy, born of the shared acceptance of mortality, carries emotional and spiritual promise. It opens the door to collaboration, compassion, and the building of meaningful relationships. In this sense, the acceptance of mortality does not diminish life but enriches it, imbuing it with depth and affiliation.
The Path of Denial
By contrast, when the ego recoils from fear and refuses to engage with mortality, it seeks refuge in denial. This denial often manifests as compensatory fantasies of omnipotence—a desperate attempt to defy the inevitable. These fantasies drive behaviors such as greed, lust for power, and addiction, as individuals strive to fill the void left by repressed fears.
Denial of mortality is not always overtly destructive; it can sometimes lead to extraordinary achievements. For example, a scientist motivated by the loss of a loved one may dedicate their life to eradicating the disease that caused their grief. While such pursuits may not be inherently selfish, they are nonetheless rooted in a desire to overcome death, to assert control over the uncontrollable.
Yet, this path ultimately lacks the nobility of empathy. It remains tethered to a resistance against the fundamental truths of existence. Instead of fostering connection, it isolates individuals in their striving, creating cycles of competition, domination, and consumption that perpetuate separation rather than unity.
Invention and the Illusion of Omnipotence
Throughout history, humanity has responded to the fear of mortality with invention. Kubrick’s ape-turned-inventor symbolizes this impulse to create tools and systems that promise power over nature, and by extension, over death. From the myths of Gilgamesh and Frankenstein to the scientific endeavors of modern medicine, humans have sought to transcend mortality through ingenuity.
While these inventions often yield remarkable advancements, they also risk perpetuating the illusion of omnipotence. The belief that death can be conquered fuels cycles of domination and exploitation, as individuals and societies prioritize control over cooperation. This dynamic is evident in the mindless pursuit of wealth, power, and immortality through technological and economic means.
However, invention need not be inherently destructive. When guided by empathy and an acceptance of mortality, it can serve to enhance the quality of life and deepen bonds between people. The difference lies in the quality of awareness that underpins the act of creation: whether it is driven by fear and denial or by acceptance and a desire to serve humanity.
A Spiritual Turning Point
At the heart of this divergence is the quality of awareness—the ego’s capacity to process the fear of mortality in a way that aligns with the realities of human existence. This quality determines whether one’s response to death leads to empathy or selfishness.
Realistically, we oscillate from fear and selfishness to empathy and acceptance, but the latter increases when the ego can learn to navigate through fear recognizing mortality as a shared experience.
Conclusion: Humanity’s Reckoning with Mortality
The awareness of mortality is both a burden and a gift. It confronts humanity with fear and horror, yet it also holds the potential for profound transformation. The ego’s processing of this fear determines the quality of awareness, shaping one’s responses and actions.
Empathy, born of acceptance, opens to and processes the fear of mortality and embraces the comfort of relationship. It fosters connection and collaboration, aligning with the spiritual truths of human existence. Selfishness, rooted in denial, perpetuates the illusion of control and separation, driving behaviors that isolate and divide.
Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey captures this existential confrontation with stunning imagery, tracing humanity’s response to death as a catalyst for invention. Yet, the film also serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that the pursuit of omnipotence can never overcome the realities of existence.
In the end, it is the quality of awareness that determines the path forward.