#1177
Mentioned in 24 episodes
The Language Instinct
How the Mind Creates Language
Book • 1994
In this book, Steven Pinker argues that language is an innate human ability, produced by evolution to solve the problem of communication among social hunter-gatherers.
He explains how language works, how children learn it, how it changes, and how the brain computes it.
Pinker refutes common ideas such as the Sapir–Whorf hypothesis and the notion that language is a human invention.
He supports his argument with examples from linguistics, psychology, and popular culture, emphasizing that language is a specialized 'mental module' rather than a mark of advanced intelligence.
The book also includes updates on advances in the science of language since its initial publication.
He explains how language works, how children learn it, how it changes, and how the brain computes it.
Pinker refutes common ideas such as the Sapir–Whorf hypothesis and the notion that language is a human invention.
He supports his argument with examples from linguistics, psychology, and popular culture, emphasizing that language is a specialized 'mental module' rather than a mark of advanced intelligence.
The book also includes updates on advances in the science of language since its initial publication.
Mentioned by
Mentioned in 24 episodes
Mentioned by 
Michael Tomasello
216 snips
225 | Michael Tomasello on The Social Origins of Cognition and Agency
Mentioned by 
Kyle Grieve
152 snips
TIP641: Improve Decision Making with Mental Models w/ Clay Finck & Kyle Grieve
Mentioned by 
Jonah Goldberg
Steven Pinker
89 snips
You Know That I Know | Interview: Steven Pinker
Mentioned by
Steven Pinker
80 snips
Steven Pinker: Outsmarting an Irrational World : 1333
Mentioned by 
Maya Shankar
48 snips
The Science of Handling Uncertainty | Maya Shankar
Mentioned by
Maya Shankar
41 snips
The Science of Handling Uncertainty | Maya Shankar
Mentioned by 
Richard Dawkins
36 snips
Can We Still Be Optimistic About the Future? | A Conversation with Steven Pinker
Mentioned by 
Paul Bloom
33 snips
Paul Bloom on Psych, Psychology, and the Human Mind
Mentioned by Michaela Peterson as one of
Steven Pinker
30 snips
198. Enlightenment and the Righteous Mind | Steven Pinker and Jonathan Haidt
Mentioned in the context of theory dying and how no one answered him when he said language is not what they teach in the semiotics curriculum.
28 snips
38. Natural Language (w/ Leif Weatherby)
Mentioned by
Richard Dawkins
Steven Pinker
25 snips
Episode 144, Steven Pinker x Richard Dawkins: Live in London (Part I - The Future of Humanity)
Mentioned by ![undefined]()
MICHAEL SHERMER
Steven Pinker
22 snips
The Power of Common Knowledge: Steven Pinker on Language, Norms, and Punishment
Mentioned by
Steven Pinker
20 snips
I Know that She Knows that I Know that She Knows: Steven Pinker on the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life
Mentioned by 
Liron Shapira
20 snips
Top Professor Condemns AGI Development: “It’s Frankly Evil” — Geoffrey Miller
Mentioned by 
Alan Alda
Steven Pinker
17 snips
Steven Pinker: When You Know That I Know That You Know…
Mentioned by Arthur Brooks as one of the books written by Steve Pinker.
17 snips
4 Ways to Use Common Knowledge to be Happier with Steven Pinker
Mentioned by ![undefined]()
Ryan Mickler
Steven Pinker
DR. STEVEN PINKER | How Common Knowledge Hurts and Helps Us
Mentioned by 
Jim Al-Khalili
Steven Pinker
Steven Pinker
Mentioned by
Maya Shankar
Goal Setting, Life Transitions, and Decision Making with Neuroscientist Dr. Maya Shankar
Mentioned by ![undefined]()
Scott Young
Best of 2024: Scott Young | How to Get Better at Anything
