Steven Pinker
Steven Pinker is a Canadian-American cognitive psychologist, linguist, and popular science author known for his exploration of language, human nature, and societal progress. A professor at Harvard University, Pinker has written influential books such as The Language Instinct, The Blank Slate, The Better Angels of Our Nature, and Enlightenment Now. His work blends rigorous scientific research with accessible, persuasive prose, often defending Enlightenment values like reason, science, and humanism. Pinker is both celebrated and critiqued for his optimistic view of human progress, and he remains a prominent public intellectual in debates about psychology, politics, and the future of civilization.
In The Better Angels of Our Nature, cognitive scientist Steven Pinker argues that, contrary to popular belief, violence has declined significantly over human history. Drawing on data from psychology, history, and political science, Pinker examines how societal changes—such as the spread of literacy, trade, and centralized governance—have contributed to a more peaceful world. He identifies forces like empathy, reason, and moral progress as "better angels" guiding human behavior. Though controversial, the book provides a compelling, data-driven narrative that challenges pessimistic views of human nature and makes a bold case for the progress of civilization over the centuries.
In Enlightenment Now, Steven Pinker defends the values of reason, science, humanism, and progress as the driving forces behind global improvements in health, wealth, safety, and freedom. Using data and visualizations, he argues that despite the doom-and-gloom narratives of modern media, the world is improving across nearly every measurable domain. Pinker traces these advances to Enlightenment principles, advocating for their continued relevance in addressing today’s challenges. Though some critics view his optimism as overly confident, the book offers a powerful counterpoint to cynicism and a celebration of humanity’s capacity to solve problems through knowledge and cooperation.