Whenever you speak to someone, you are presuming the two of you have a certain degree of familiarity - which your words might alter. So every sentence has to do two things at once: convey a message and continue to negotiate that relationship. Steven Pinker altercontinueconvey share on social
The brain is not a bag of traits. It's startlingly complex. There are few or no single genes with a consistent effect on the mind. Steven Pinker bagbraincomplex Change image and share on social
The 9/11 strikes left an indelible impact on our minds, but in relative terms, the scale of casualties actually wasn't all that high. Steven Pinker casualtyhighimpact Change image and share on social
Plants can't very well defend themselves by their behavior, so they resort to chemical warfare, and plants are saturated with toxins and irritants to deter creatures like us who want to eat them. Steven Pinker behaviorchemicalcreature Change image and share on social
By all measures men are the more violent gender. Steven Pinker gendermanmeasure Change image and share on social
Human nature is complex. Even if we do have inclinations toward violence, we also have inclination to empathy, to cooperation, to self-control. Steven Pinker complexcontrolcooperation Change image and share on social
Art works because it appeals to certain faculties of the mind. Music depends on details of the auditory system, painting and sculpture on the visual system. Poetry and literature depend on language. Steven Pinker appealartauditory Change image and share on social
Personality and socialization aren't the same thing. Steven Pinker personalitysocializationthing Change image and share on social
Most wars are not fought over shortages of resources such as food and water, but rather over conquest, revenge, and ideology. Steven Pinker conquestfightfood Change image and share on social
No matter how inured you get to atrocities, you're still always stunned and shocked by how cruel and wasteful Homo sapiens can be. Steven Pinker atrocitycruelhomo Change image and share on social
