I enjoyed his book "Enlightenment Now," although I can't say I subscribe to his ultra positive outlook of the world. For all our sake, I hope he's right and I am wrong. So far I like his "Rationality" one. It's more useful, I think.
I agree. I know what you are saying about the ultra positive outlook. What I have been reading about him lately didn't encourage me to pick up the new book. But I should give it a try.
What have you been reading about him lately? Send it my way. The way I look at it, is people are a mixed bag of nuts. Take what you like, leave the rest behind. And don't judge one writer by a single book. Lol. Next one could be better or worse than the last. You never know.
Again, I have not read the new book. And yes, I agree with the mixed bag statement. However, his being popular and best-seller has some impact on the general public opinion.
Got here from another newsletter. Was enjoying the post then...Pinker!! Oh no!! Isn't he a bit cliched now? I will try to read the rest.
I enjoyed his book "Enlightenment Now," although I can't say I subscribe to his ultra positive outlook of the world. For all our sake, I hope he's right and I am wrong. So far I like his "Rationality" one. It's more useful, I think.
I agree. I know what you are saying about the ultra positive outlook. What I have been reading about him lately didn't encourage me to pick up the new book. But I should give it a try.
What have you been reading about him lately? Send it my way. The way I look at it, is people are a mixed bag of nuts. Take what you like, leave the rest behind. And don't judge one writer by a single book. Lol. Next one could be better or worse than the last. You never know.
Again, I have not read the new book. And yes, I agree with the mixed bag statement. However, his being popular and best-seller has some impact on the general public opinion.
Here are a few links.
This one talks about how radical right has been influenced by his ideas https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/steven-pinker-jordan-peterson-neoliberalism-radical-right/. Of course any ideas can be misappropriated, I am aware of that.
There's also a NYT article about this from 2018: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/08/opinion/intellectual-dark-web.html (this article puts Pinker and Jordan Peterson in the same box which might be bit simplistic). Another one here about Pinker's take on the enlightenment: https://www.vox.com/the-big-idea/2018/5/17/17362548/pinker-enlightenment-now-two-cultures-rationality-war-debate
A more academic critique here: https://doi.org/10.1080/21598282.2019.1649170
Here's another old debate about his views on science and gender:
https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2005/4/25/profs-spar-on-innate-differences-in/
And most recently his involvement with the University of Austin is also interesting: https://www.salon.com/2021/11/13/bari-weiss-field-of-right-wing-dreams-will-the-university-of-austin-ever-actually-exist/
So as you tell not a big fan on his..:)