Steven Pinker, Harvard Psychology Professor & author, gave a talk at the Mechanics' Institute during Friday lunch about his new book The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined. He presented the counter-intuitive thesis that violence, when looked at from a long historical perspective, has declined steady across all aspects of society. This is due not to any fundamental change in human nature but rather to cultural shifts that favor empathy & self-control. Mr. Pinker showed plenty of graphs to back up his idea, including a scatter plot of the "100 Worst Atrocities." The book seems very academic, but it is worth considering whether democracy, increased trade & international organizations really do reduce violence. Mr. Pinker gave a prepared lecture for about 45 minutes then answered questions for another 45 minutes. People were generally in agreement with him, though the moderator cut short one person who aggressively disputed Mr. Pinker's figure for the number of casualties in the recent wars in Iraq & Afghanistan. Mr. Pinker told us that he has encountered critics who tell him that he may be basing his arguments on data & facts, but he is just wrong. I was surprised that religion did not come up in either his lecture or during the Q & A.§ The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined
Steven Pinker
Mechanics' Institute
Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:30pm - 2:00pm
2 comments:
"This is due not to any fundamental change in human nature but rather to cultural shifts that favor empathy & self-control".
Really interesting I hope to find his new book somewhere in my country If it will be in stores.
Mr. Pinker seems to have a popular following for his books, so I hope Better Angels makes it to your country!
Post a Comment