In a stimulating discussion, Steven Pinker, a cognitive psychologist and bestselling author, joins David Runciman, a Cambridge political historian, to explore themes of skepticism, optimism, and societal progress. They dive into the historical roots of skepticism in democracy and capitalism, navigating generational fears over power in the digital age. The conversation also highlights the 'optimism gap,' contrasting global advancements with personal perceptions of decline. Together, they dissect how ideology influences our understanding of progress and the complexities of modern societal issues.
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Skepticism's Double-Edged Sword
Skepticism, rooted in Enlightenment thought, is crucial for combating credulity and challenging established norms.
However, unchecked skepticism can lead to nihilism, making it essential to balance it with evidence-based reasoning.
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Calibrated Skepticism
Be skeptical of everything, including established systems like democracy and capitalism.
Calibrate your beliefs based on evidence and prior plausibility, not just blind acceptance.
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Skepticism vs. Cynicism
While skepticism is necessary, it can devolve into cynicism in contemporary discourse.
Cynicism, marked by constant questioning of motives and a presumption of bad faith, hinders progress.
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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.
The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins
Set in a post-apocalyptic North America known as Panem, The Hunger Games follows Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year-old girl from District 12, who volunteers to participate in the 74th Hunger Games to save her younger sister Prim. Alongside Peeta Mellark, the other tribute from District 12, Katniss must use her hunting skills and wits to survive the arena. The Games are a tool of oppression by the Capitol to remind the districts of their defeat in a past rebellion. As Katniss and Peeta navigate the treacherous arena, they also manipulate the audience and sponsors to gain advantages, while sparking the beginnings of a rebellion against the Capitol's tyrannical rule.
The Perils of Perception
Why we’re wrong about nearly everything
Bobby Duffy
In *The Perils of Perception*, Bobby Duffy delves into the widespread misperceptions about social issues, drawing from global studies involving 100,000 interviews across 40 countries. The book highlights common misconceptions, such as overestimating teenage pregnancy rates or immigration levels, and discusses how these misperceptions arise from psychological biases and media influences. Duffy emphasizes the importance of understanding these biases to improve critical thinking and policy-making.
For the second part of our conversation between cognitive psychologist and bestselling author Steven Pinker and academic and podcaster David Runciman, who teaches politics and history at Cambridge University, we rejoin the discussion with the two looking at the roots of skepticism. This interview first appeared on Intelligence Squared in early 2019 at the time of the publication of Pinker's book, Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress.
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