The Blank Slate

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In this exploration of human nature, Steven Pinker challenges the denial of innate traits through three linked dogmas: the Blank Slate, the Noble Savage, and the Ghost in the Machine. Each dogma carries moral implications, leading their proponents to discredit scientists who oppose them. Pinker brings clarity to these debates, asserting that concepts like equality and responsibility can coexist with an understanding of human nature. He argues that the Blank Slate doctrine, despite its popularity among intellectuals in the twentieth century, has caused more harm than good by denying our shared humanity and individual preferences. This perspective replaces rigorous analyses of social issues with simplistic slogans, skewing our understanding of government, violence, parenting, and the arts. By advocating for a science-based acknowledgment of human nature, Pinker contends that it enriches rather than threatens insights from artists and philosophers throughout history. His approach combines wit, clarity, and profound insight, reflecting the qualities that have garnered acclaim for his previous works.