Professor Steven Pinker is the Johnstone Family Professor in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University. He’s also an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, a Humanist of the Year, a recipient of nine honorary doctorates, and one of Foreign Policy’s “World’s Top 100 Public Intellectuals,” as well as one of Time’s “100 Most Influential People in the World Today.”
In this episode of Chatter That Matters, Professor Pinker chats with host Tony Chapman about his research and the concepts revealed in his best-selling books, which are surprising, enlightening and inspiring.
For instance, the Better Angels of Our Nature reveals that violence is, in fact, in decline, and today is actually the most peaceful moment in our species’ existence. In Rationality, he examines how humans can, on the one hand, develop COVID-19 vaccines in less than a year yet produce volumes of fake news every day. In The Blank Slate, he examines the origins of human nature and challenges the arguments of nature versus nurture.
In this highly thought-provoking episode, Professor Pinker shares his concern that opinion has been criminalized and offers solutions to help curb negativity and single-minded perspectives. He offers his views on what children should be taught so they can grow into critical thinkers. And he reveals how scientific curiosity and understanding can ultimately inspire and empower all.
Every week, Marketing Hall of Legends & Canadian Marketing and PR Hall of Fame inductee Tony Chapman hosts Chatter That Matters. Each week Tony chats with an inspiring person who had the courage and conviction to overcome circumstances, chase their dreams, and change the world for the better.
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