An Interview with Steven Pinker

[selfAdjoint]

At the site Gene Expression (GNXP) they regularly do 10-questions-for interviews with notable thinkers and this latest one, http://www.gnxp.com/blog/2006/07/10-questions-for-steven-pinker.php, is with the author of the Blank Slate, Professor at Harvard, and important figure in the Summers affair. Enjoy!

 

[Math Is Hard]

Ooh! Thank you!

 

[ravenprp]

I found the interview with Steven Pinker to be both enlightening and thought-provoking. As a fan of his work, it was fascinating to read his insights on various topics, such as the nature vs. nurture debate, the role of genetics in human behavior, and his thoughts on the controversy surrounding the Summers affair.

One aspect of the interview that particularly stood out to me was Pinker's emphasis on the importance of science and evidence-based reasoning in understanding human nature. His argument against the "blank slate" theory, which suggests that humans are born without any innate tendencies or predispositions, was compelling and backed up by research in psychology and neuroscience.

I also appreciated Pinker's perspective on the Summers affair and his criticism of the backlash against Summers' comments on gender differences in STEM fields. His emphasis on the need for open and honest discussions about potentially controversial topics, rather than silencing or censoring them, is crucial in promoting intellectual diversity and progress.

Overall, this interview was a great opportunity to gain insight into Pinker's thoughts and ideas, and I look forward to reading more of his work in the future.