79 pages 2 hours read

Steven Pinker

Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2018

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Enlightenment Now, Steven Pinker contends that Enlightenment-era values—reason, humanism, and science—are crucial yet undervalued. He argues against modern pessimism, demonstrating through quantitative evidence that, contrary to widespread beliefs, society has made significant progress in areas such as health, safety, and human rights, and advocates for continued adherence to these foundational principles to further improve society. The book references mental health conditions, anti-gay sentiment, death by suicide, sexual servitude, abuse, police violence, slavery, torture, and murder.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now is praised for its thorough use of data to argue that human progress is flourishing due to Enlightenment values. Critics appreciate his optimism and compelling narrative. However, some find Pinker's dismissal of contemporary social issues overly simplistic or naive. Despite this, the book is largely seen as a powerful, data-driven argument for optimism.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Enlightenment Now?

Readers of Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now are typically well-educated individuals with an interest in science, philosophy, and human progress. They enjoy data-driven arguments and intellectual discussions, similar to those found in works like Hans Rosling's Factfulness and Yuval Noah Harari's Sapiens.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics

Philosophy

Science / Nature

Psychology

Themes

Society: Economics

Society: Class

Society: Education

Genre

Psychology

Philosophy