Throwback/Encore Presentation: Steven Pinker, Author and Johnstone Professor in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University

Note for this encore presentation: While much of our discussion centered on Professor Pinker’s views on how the world continues to improve while we have trouble believing it, he also goes into details about his concerns about the state of public discourse on college campuses. He and I conducted this interview in June of 2023, several months before the conflict between Hamas and Israel began, and subsequent demonstrations caused huge disruptions on college campuses around the country, including Pinker’s own Harvard University.   He’s since been very active in shaping his school’s policy on open speech and debate and whether or not universities should take public positions on political issues that don’t directly relate to those schools.   It’s interesting now to listen to what he had to say about his campus’s climate, before it became an issue of press coverage and public debate. 

In this wide-ranging conversation, renowned author and professor Steven Pinker describes that while he resists being called an “optimist,” as the label doesn’t necessarily suit his temperament, his deep dives into historical data have convinced him that the world is indeed getting better and has been on a steady trajectory since the days of the Enlightenment, the subject of one of his many acclaimed books.  Dr. Pinker also describes why he believes so many intellectuals resist acknowledging that the world is making progress; and adds, ironically, that self-described “progressives” often have the toughest time with this.  He also shares his concerns about the policing of speech on college campuses – including Harvard – and the deleterious effects this has on students’ wellbeing.   

 

Chapters:

 

03:30 The World Getting Better  Steven Pinker discusses the concept of human progress and how our cognitive abilities allow us to overcome negative impulses. He explains the importance of acknowledging progress despite inherent biases towards negativity. 

11:00 Optimism vs. Pessimism  Explore Steven Pinker’s view on optimism and pessimism, highlighting how his perspective is rooted in data and empirical evidence rather than personal temperament. Understand the societal perception of optimism and pessimism in intellectual circles. 

12:07 Glorifying the Past  Delve into the tendency to glorify the past and criticize the present. Learn about the societal inclination to equate pessimism with moral seriousness and the impact of historical perspectives on current discourse. 

23:01 Criticism and Academic Freedom  Steven Pinker addresses concerns about academic freedom and the culture of censorship and intolerance in higher education. Understand the importance of open discourse and challenging dominant orthodoxies for societal progress. 

27:33 Campus Climate and Mental Health  Pinker describes how campus orientations and cultural shifts impact young people’s mental health, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation. 

31:53 Positive Historical Trends  Discussing surprising positive historical trends related to violence, environmental improvements, and changing perceptions of war and heroism. 

36:18 War and Peaceful Service  Exploring the shift from glorifying war to promoting peaceful service as a means to cultivate heroic and altruistic qualities in individuals. 

38:50 Spreading Optimism and Data-Driven Progress  Pinker offers advice on spreading awareness of positive trends, emphasizing data-driven optimism, acknowledging challenges, and the role of human agency in creating a better world. 

40:31 Reflections on War and Optimism  Dr. Pinker reflects on the historical glorification of war and the potential for mandatory peaceful service, along with the importance of data-driven optimism in shaping perspectives.