Steven Pinker

Cognitive Science Canadian-American 1954 105 quotes

A prominent cognitive psychologist and linguist known for his work on language, mind, and human nature, advocating for an evolutionary perspective.

Quotes by Steven Pinker

The mind is not a single entity, but a collection of interacting parts.

How the Mind Works 1997

Language is a universal human trait, but it is also incredibly diverse.

The Language Instinct 1994

The human capacity for reason is our greatest asset.

Enlightenment Now 2018

The world is not a zero-sum game. Progress for some does not mean decline for others.

Enlightenment Now 2018

The pursuit of happiness is a fundamental human right.

Enlightenment Now 2018

The human brain is a marvel of engineering, but it is also full of quirks and biases.

How the Mind Works 1997

The idea of a 'noble savage' is a romantic myth.

The Blank Slate 2002

The world is not perfect, but it is perfectible.

Enlightenment Now 2018

The human capacity for empathy is a powerful force for good.

The Better Angels of Our Nature 2011

The mind is not a ghost in the machine, but a product of the brain.

How the Mind Works 1997

Language is not just a set of rules, but a living, evolving system.

The Language Instinct 1994

The greatest challenge facing humanity is to apply reason to our problems.

Enlightenment Now 2018

The world is not a battleground between good and evil, but a complex system of interacting forces.

Enlightenment Now 2018

The human capacity for self-deception is a major obstacle to progress.

Enlightenment Now 2018

The mind is not a tabula rasa, but a richly structured organ.

The Blank Slate 2002

The world is not a zero-sum game. We can all win.

Enlightenment Now 2018

The human capacity for creativity is boundless.

Enlightenment Now 2018

The mind is not a single, unified entity, but a collection of specialized modules that work together.

How the Mind Works 1997

Language is not just a tool for communication, but a fundamental part of what it means to be human.

The Language Instinct 1994

The greatest danger to humanity is not external threats, but our own irrationality.

Enlightenment Now 2018