The great appeal of the doctrine that the mind is a blank slate is the simple mathematical fact that zero equals zero. Steven Pinker appealblankdoctrine Change image and share on social
We are visual creatures. Visual things stay put, whereas sounds fade. Steven Pinker creaturefadeput Change image and share on social
A decent government with an effective, but not gratuitously violent, police force and a fair court system are essential. This deters and incapacitates psychopaths, bullies and hotheads - and if it earns the confidence of the people, they don't have to become violent in self-defence. Steven Pinker bullyconfidencecourt share on social
I don't think language could have evolved if it was the only distinctive trait. It goes hand in hand with our ability to develop tools and technologies, and also with the fact that we cooperate with nonrelatives. Steven Pinker abilitycooperatedevelop share on social
The connections I draw between human nature and political systems in my new book, for example, were prefigured in the debates during the Enlightenment and during the framing of the American Constitution. Steven Pinker americanbookconnection share on social
I try to jog in every city I visit, and I particularly enjoy harbour-front paths that let me ogle big ships, railroad bridges and the ruins of factories and warehouses. Steven Pinker bigbridgecity Change image and share on social
The way to understand how different species evolved is to think about the niches that they fill in an ecosystem - basically, how they make a living. Steven Pinker basicallyecosystemevolve Change image and share on social
I suspect music is auditory cheesecake, an exquisite confection crafted to tickle the sensitive spots of... our mental faculties. Steven Pinker auditorycheesecakeconfection Change image and share on social
But the newest research is showing that many properties of the brain are genetically organized, and don't depend on information coming in from the senses. Steven Pinker braincomedepend Change image and share on social
Roads, better harnesses for horses, time-keeping devices, financial instruments like a currency that was recognized everywhere in the kingdom, enforceable contracts - all of this made commerce more appealing than plunder. Steven Pinker appealcommercecontract share on social
