#1446
Mentioned in 51 episodes
The better angels of our nature
Why Violence Has Declined
Book • 2011
In this book, Steven Pinker presents a detailed argument that violence has significantly decreased over the course of human history.
He uses extensive data and statistical analysis to demonstrate this decline in various domains, including military conflict, homicide, genocide, torture, and the treatment of children, homosexuals, animals, and racial and ethnic minorities.
Pinker identifies four key human motivations – empathy, self-control, the moral sense, and reason – as the 'better angels' that have oriented humans away from violence and towards cooperation and altruism.
He also discusses historical forces such as the rise of the state (which he terms 'Leviathan'), the spread of commerce, the growth of feminist values, and the expansion of cosmopolitanism, which have contributed to this decline in violence.
He uses extensive data and statistical analysis to demonstrate this decline in various domains, including military conflict, homicide, genocide, torture, and the treatment of children, homosexuals, animals, and racial and ethnic minorities.
Pinker identifies four key human motivations – empathy, self-control, the moral sense, and reason – as the 'better angels' that have oriented humans away from violence and towards cooperation and altruism.
He also discusses historical forces such as the rise of the state (which he terms 'Leviathan'), the spread of commerce, the growth of feminist values, and the expansion of cosmopolitanism, which have contributed to this decline in violence.
Mentioned by
Mentioned in 51 episodes
Mentioned by 
Jonathan Haidt in the context of discussing long-term historical trends and human adaptability.
Jonathan Haidt in the context of discussing long-term historical trends and human adaptability.
197 snips
Jonathan Haidt on Adjusting to Smartphones and Social Media
Mentioned by 
Eric Schmidt as a book he has gifted often, focusing on long-term trends in human violence.
Eric Schmidt as a book he has gifted often, focusing on long-term trends in human violence.
88 snips
#367: Eric Schmidt — Lessons from a Trillion-Dollar Coach
Mentioned by 
David Brooks , who more or less agrees with it, when saying that violence has been dropping and cruelty has been dropping.
David Brooks , who more or less agrees with it, when saying that violence has been dropping and cruelty has been dropping.
68 snips
CNLP 740 | Overpoliticized and Undermoralized: David Brooks on the American Church, Culture, Becoming a Christian and Being Pastored By Tim Keller
Mentioned by 
Peter Shamshery and 
Michael Hobbs as a book discussing the decline of violence over the last 10,000 years.
Peter Shamshery and Michael Hobbs as a book discussing the decline of violence over the last 10,000 years.
59 snips
"The Better Angels of Our Nature" Part 1: You're Not Wrong, Pinker. You're Just An *sshole
Recommended by Bill Gates as a book documenting the reduction in violence and improvement in various aspects of life.
55 snips
Bill Gates on possibility, AI, and humanity
Mentioned by 
Mark Manson as evidence that, by most metrics, we live in the best time to ever be alive.
Mark Manson as evidence that, by most metrics, we live in the best time to ever be alive.
48 snips
How TikTok Ruined Politics (And Your Sex Life)
Mentioned by Michael Hobbs in the context of discussing societal improvement and the impact of books.
Michael Hobbs in the context of discussing societal improvement and the impact of books.46 snips
"The Better Angels of Our Nature" Part 2: Campus Lies, I.Q. Rise & Epstein Ties
Mentioned by 
Peter Singer and Kasia de Lazari Radek when discussing global peace and progress in modern times.
Peter Singer and Kasia de Lazari Radek when discussing global peace and progress in modern times.
42 snips
STEVEN PINKER: rational optimism in a complex world
