The World's Best Book Summaries
What is human progress? Can it be defined objectively? What’s “better”? Psychologist Steven Pinker believes that humanity is on the path of progress. But, exactly what that means can be hard to pin down. He tackles the definition in his book Enlightenment Now. Keep reading to learn what human progress is, according to Pinker.
What does it mean to be “anti-Enlightenment”? What kind of attitudes or paradigms fit into this category? According to Steven Pinker, four forces are standing in the way of humanity’s progress: religion, anti-scientism, tribalism, and declinism. He believes that the world is on the right track but argues that these enemies of progress must be stopped if human advancement is to continue. Continue reading to learn more about Pinker’s argument.
Why are some people opposed to technology? Are fears about artificial intelligence and bioterrorism valid? Steven Pinker addresses some of the concerns of the anti-technology movement in his book Enlightenment Now. He says that it’s important to allay their fears because, not only are their fears unfounded, they stand in the way of progress. Keep reading to learn Pinker’s views on anti-technology.
What are the U.S. federal gun laws? What’s most important to know? Gun laws in the United States are complex and constantly debated, which can make it difficult to understand which firearms are prohibited or allowed. U.S. federal gun law further complicates the situation by introducing additional restrictions to general gun laws. Read on for an overview of gun laws in the U.S., including special restrictions under U.S. federal law.
Is the world becoming more democratic? How can we tell? What do the data indicate? In his book Enlightenment Now, psychologist Steven Pinker provides statistics to help us understand the state of democracy in the world. He considers factors such as human rights and capital punishment. Keep reading to learn why Pinker believes that the world is headed in the right direction when it comes to democracy.
What are NFA firearms? Why does the U.S. restrict purchases of NFA items? How are they purchased? Gun laws in the United States are a subject of ongoing political debate and under federal law, certain types of firearms and certain activities related to firearms are subject to additional restrictions. Understanding the current laws is important, especially concerning the National Firearms Act (NFA). Read on to learn what NFA firearms are, including each type of firearm and the rules for buying one.
What is the history of the 4-day workweek? What are some of the advantages and disadvantages to the community? An increasing number of global organizations are trying out the 4-day workweek, but the benefits of a reduced working schedule can come at a cost to others. As a result, it’s not yet clear if this kind of reduced schedule is viable on a large scale. Read on to learn about the history of the 4-day workweek and how it can help or harm the community.
Is the world more peaceful today than in years past? What do the statistics tell us? In his book Enlightenment Now, Steven Pinker defends the assertions in his previous book that world violence has declined. He updates the data to show that he was right in 2011 and that he’s still right, as of 2018 when his more recent book was published. Continue reading to learn why Pinker believes that we’re in an unprecedented time of peace.
What is the status of—and the outlook for—the global distribution of wealth? Are the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer? Steven Pinker wants to set the record straight on wealth and inequality in the world. He presents compelling data regarding inequality, poverty, and social spending that might come as a surprise to many. Continue reading to learn Pinker’s argument and for a brief discussion of the prospect of a Universal Basic Income.
Can happiness be measured? If so, what do the measurements tell us about the state and trajectory of happiness in the world? Steven Pinker believes that the world is getting better, and happiness is part of that. By sharing world happiness data, he shows that happiness levels are up and that the statistics on mental illness and loneliness look better than we might imagine. Read more to learn why Pinker is optimistic when it comes to world happiness.