

#375
Mentioned in 70 episodes
Enlightenment Now
Book • 2019
In 'Enlightenment Now', Steven Pinker presents a comprehensive argument that the values of the Enlightenment—reason, science, and humanism—have been instrumental in the progress of human society.
He challenges the prevailing pessimism in modern discourse by presenting empirical evidence that life, health, prosperity, safety, peace, knowledge, and happiness are on the rise globally.
Pinker uses data and graphs to illustrate improvements in various aspects of human life, such as increased life expectancy, reduced child and maternal mortality, and advancements in medicine and technology.
He also addresses the psychological biases that lead people to underestimate these improvements and emphasizes the importance of continuing to uphold Enlightenment ideals to ensure further progress.
He challenges the prevailing pessimism in modern discourse by presenting empirical evidence that life, health, prosperity, safety, peace, knowledge, and happiness are on the rise globally.
Pinker uses data and graphs to illustrate improvements in various aspects of human life, such as increased life expectancy, reduced child and maternal mortality, and advancements in medicine and technology.
He also addresses the psychological biases that lead people to underestimate these improvements and emphasizes the importance of continuing to uphold Enlightenment ideals to ensure further progress.
Mentioned by
















Mentioned in 70 episodes
Recommended by 

, who described it as an amazing book.


Rand Paul

1,556 snips
Senator Rand Paul: Tariffs, Debt, China, and a Warning for America
Mentioned by 

as containing a quote from Thomas Edison on how electricity will liberate women.


Steven Pinker

753 snips
Steven Pinker: Harvard Professor Explains The Rules of Writing | How I Write
Mentioned by 

as a book that provides evidence of human progress.


Tobi Lütke

665 snips
Tobi Lütke: Calm Progress
Mentioned by 

as a reference point for revisiting and updating indicators of global progress a decade after its publication.


Steven Pinker

540 snips
Steven Pinker on Coordination, Common Knowledge, and the Retreat of Liberal Enlightenment
Mentioned by 

as a source of optimism about human progress.


Jimmy Carr

241 snips
Jimmy Carr: The Easiest Way To Live A Happier Life
Mentioned by 

, referencing his work on objective improvements in the world.


Angela Duckworth

162 snips
221. Why Are We So Pessimistic?
Mentioned by 

as one of his favorite books, highlighting that we live in the greatest moment in human history.


Vas Narasimhan

159 snips
Novartis CEO: Medical Innovation, Tech Partnerships, and European Competitiveness
Mentioned by 

when discussing gratitude and the progress of society.


Jimmy Carr

132 snips
#2045 - Jimmy Carr
Mentioned by Jordan Peterson as a book documenting an economic miracle.

131 snips
Risk Being a Fool: A 12 Rules for Life Lecture
Mentioned by 

as an author who wrote about the world getting better.


Dan Gilbert

126 snips
Turning Work into Play (Update)



