Enlightenment Now

Streszczenie książki

Steven Pinker is a prominent Canadian-American cognitive psychologist, linguist, and popular science author known for his work in the fields of psychology, linguistics, and the exploration of human cognition. He is a prolific writer and speaker who has made significant contributions to our understanding of language, human nature, and the process of thought.

The Enlightenment’s legacy, rooted in reason, science, humanism, and progress, has profoundly shaped modern society, fostering advancements in global cooperation, democracy, and quality of life. Despite ongoing challenges like the Syrian conflict or climate change, historical context reveals significant progress: wars have declined, global wealth has risen, and poverty and inequality have decreased. Science, often misunderstood or misrepresented, remains a cornerstone of this progress, driving innovations in health, agriculture, and public safety. Democracy, once doubted, has flourished, reducing authoritarianism and discrimination while promoting equality and education. Younger generations increasingly embrace Enlightenment values, signaling a future aligned with reason and humanism. Contrary to media-driven fears, data consistently highlights humanity’s upward trajectory, reinforcing the resilience and enduring relevance of Enlightenment ideals.

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to compute it.”

“It's natural to think that living things must be the handiwork of a designer. But it was also natural to think that the sun went around the earth. Overcoming naive impressions to figure out how things really work is one of humanity's highest callings."

"As we care about more of humanity, we’re apt to mistake the harms around us for signs of how low the world has sunk rather than how high our standards have risen.”

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