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The Blank Slate
560 pages, 2003
Pinker shows how many intellectuals have denied the existence of human nature by embracing three linked dogmas: the Blank Slate (the mind has no innate traits), the Noble Savage (people are born good and corrupted by society), and the Ghost in the Machine (each of us has a soul that makes choices free from biology). Each dogma carries a moral burden, so their defenders have engaged in desperate tactics to discredit scientists who are now challenging them. Pinker injects calm and rationality into these debates by showing that equality, progress, responsibility, and purpose have nothing to fear from discoveries about a rich human nature. He disarms even the most menacing threats with clear thinking, common-sense and pertinent facts from science and history.
In The Blank Slate, Steven Pinker challenges the popular belief that we are born as blank slates, shaped entirely by our environment. Instead, he argues that genetics play a significant role in determining our behaviors, abilities, and personalities. So, if you've ever wondered why you're so different from your siblings despite growing up in the same household, this book might have some answers for you.
Pinker's research in The Blank Slate shows that our instincts are not something to be ignored. They are a part of our genetic makeup and have evolved over thousands of years to help us survive and thrive. So, next time you get a gut feeling about something, don't dismiss it. It's your genes talking!
While Pinker emphasizes the role of genetics, he doesn't deny the influence of society. He explains how societal norms and expectations can shape our behaviors and attitudes. So, if you've ever felt pressured to act a certain way because 'that's what people do', you'll find this part of the book particularly interesting.
One of the key messages in The Blank Slate is the danger of denying human nature. Pinker argues that ignoring our genetic predispositions can lead to unrealistic expectations and policies. This book will make you rethink the way you see human behavior and the world around you.
The Blank Slate will make you see that human beings are not just products of their environment. We are complex creatures shaped by a mix of genetics and experiences. So, if you're interested in understanding what makes you 'you', this book is a must-read.
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Pinker's book is a magnificent and humane synthesis of scientific knowledge about human nature. It is a breath of intellectual fresh air.
Richard Dawkins - Evolutionary BiologistPinker's The Blank Slate is a tour de force, a brave and clear exposition of some truths that are hard to swallow.
Daniel Dennett - Philosopher, WriterThe Blank Slate is a work of extraordinary range, erudition, and passion. It is a rare book that will make you think, and rethink.
E.O. Wilson - Biologist, Naturalist