Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
By: Steven Pinker
4.20
Format: 576 pages, Hardcover
If you think the world is coming to an end, think again: people are living longer, healthier, freer…
Want to Read $ 9.99"There is no law of complex systems that says that intelligent agents must turn into ruthless conquistadors. Indeed, we know of one highly advanced form of intelligence that evolved without this defect. They're called women."-Steven Pinker, Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
"Enlightenment humanism, then, is far from being a crowd-pleaser. The idea that the ultimate good is to use knowledge to enhance human welfare leaves people cold. Deep explanations of the universe, the planet, life, the brain? Unless they use magic, we don't want to believe them! Saving the lives of billions, eradicating disease, feeding the hungry? Bo -ring. People extending their compassion to all of humankind? Not good enough—we want the laws of physics to care about us! Longevity, health, understanding, beauty, freedom, love? There's got to be more to life than that!"-Steven Pinker, Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
"This heroic story is not just another myth. Myths are fictions, but this one is true-true to the best of our knowledge, which is the only truth we can have. We believe it because we have reasons to believe it. As we learn more, we can show which parts of the story continue to be true, and which ones false-as any of them might be, and any could become. And the story belongs not to any tribe but to all of humanity-to any sentient creature with the power of reason and the urge to persist in its being. For it requires only the convictions that life is better than death, health is better than sickness, abundance is better than want, freedom is better tha coercion, happiness is better than suffering, and knowledge is better than superstition and ignorance."-Steven Pinker, Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
"Our understanding of who we are, where we came from, how the world works, and what matters in life depends on partaking of the vast and ever-expanding store of knowledge. Though unlettered hunters, herders, and peasants are fully human, anthropologists often comment on their orientation to the present, the local, the physical. To be aware of one's country and its history, of the diversity of customs and beliefs across the globe and through the ages, of the blunders and triumphs of past civilizations, of the microcosms of cells and atoms and the macrocosms of planets and galaxies, of the ethereal reality of number and logic and pattern—such awareness truly lifts us to a higher plane of consciousness. It is a gift of belonging to a brainy species with a long history."-Steven Pinker, Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
If you liked the nonfiction plot in Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress by Steven Pinker , here is a list of 17 books like this:
1. The Beginning of Infinity: Explanations That Transform the World
By: David Deutsch
4.18
Format: 487 pages, Hardcover
The New York Times bestseller: A provocative, imaginative exploration of the nature and progress o… read more
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- audiobook
- history
- psychology
- philosophy
- nonfiction
- science
2. Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow
By: Yuval Noah Harari
4.35
Format: 26 pages,
Yuval Noah Harari, author of the critically-acclaimed New York Timesbestseller and international ph… read more
Want to ReadSimilar categories in Yuval Noah Harari's Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow book and Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
- science
- history
- philosophy
- nonfiction
- sociology
- audiobook
3. Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst
By: Robert M. Sapolsky
4.16
Format: None pages, Hardcover
Why do we do the things we do? More than a decade in the making, this game-changing book is Robert … read more
Want to ReadSimilar categories in Robert M. Sapolsky's Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst book and Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
- philosophy
- nonfiction
- psychology
- science
4. Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
By: None
4.00
Format: 416 pages, Audio CD
How will Artificial Intelligence affect crime, war, justice, jobs, society and our very sense of be… read more
Want to ReadSimilar categories in None's Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence book and Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
- philosophy
- nonfiction
- science
5. Free Will
By: Sam Harris
4.26
Format: 104 pages, Paperback
Belief in free will touches nearly everything that human beings value. It is difficult to think abo… read more
Want to ReadSimilar categories in Sam Harris's Free Will book and Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
- philosophy
- nonfiction
- psychology
- science
6. The Nature of Technology: What It Is and How It Evolves
By: W. Brian Arthur
2.33
Format: None pages, Hardcover
Leading scientific theorist W. Brian Arthur puts forth the first complete theory of the origins and… read more
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- history
- philosophy
- nonfiction
- economics
- science
7. Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty
By: Daron Acemoğlu , James A. Robinson
4.08
Format: 529 pages, Hardcover
Brilliant and engagingly written, Why Nations Fail answers the question that has stumped the expert… read more
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- history
- politics
- nonfiction
- society
- sociology
- science
"Central planning was just not good at replacing what the great eighteenth-century economist Adam Smith called the “invisible hand"-Daron Acemoğlu, Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty
"As mudanças graduais também impediram aventuras em territórios inexplorados. O derrube violento do sistema significa que é necessário construir algo inteiramente novo, em vez daquilo que foi eliminad…"-Daron Acemoğlu, Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty
"Sem o petróleo, os países do Médio Oriente são também todos pobres. (…) Foi a expansão e consolidação do Império Otomano, e é devido ao legado institucional desse império que o Médio Oriente continua…"-Daron Acemoğlu, Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty
"A América do Norte tornou-se mais próspera precisamente porque adotou com entusiasmo as tecnologias e os progressos da Revolução Industrial. (…) A desigualdade no mundo atual é, em grande medida, uma…"-Daron Acemoğlu, Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty
8. The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values
By: Sam Harris
3.99
Format: 512 pages,
Sam Harris' first book, The End of Faith, ignited a worldwide debate about the validity of religion… read more
Want to ReadSimilar categories in Sam Harris's The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values book and Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
9. Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion
By: Sam Harris
3.80
Format: 220 pages, Hardcover
For the millions of Americans who want spirituality without religion, Sam Harris's new book is a gu… read more
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10. Fooled by Randomness: The Hidden Role of Chance in Life and in the Markets
By: Nassim Nicholas Taleb
3.67
Format: 363 pages, Paperback
Fooled by Randomness is a standalone book in Nassim Nicholas Taleb's landmark Incerto series, an in… read more
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11. Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies
By: Jared Diamond
3.68
Format: 113 pages, Paperback
'Diamond has written a book of remarkable scope . . . one of the most important and readable works … read more
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12. 21 Lessons for the 21st Century
By: Yuval Noah Harari
4.17
Format: 372 pages, Hardcover
In Sapiens, he explored our past. In Homo Deus, he looked to our future. Now, one of the most innov… read more
Want to Read $ 9.99Similar categories in Yuval Noah Harari's 21 Lessons for the 21st Century book and Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
- audiobook
- history
- politics
- psychology
- philosophy
- nonfiction
- society
- sociology
- science
"Total annihilation has a way of sharpening people's minds."-Yuval Noah Harari, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century
"Questions you cannot answer are usually far better for you than answers you cannot question."-Yuval Noah Harari, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century
"So if you want to know the truth about the universe, about the meaning of life, and about your own identity, the best place to start is by observing suffering and exploring what it is. The answer isn…"-Yuval Noah Harari, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century
"To survive and flourish in such a world, you will need a lot of mental flexibility and great reserves of emotional balance. You will have to repeatedly let go of some of what you know best, and feel …"-Yuval Noah Harari, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century
13. Determined: A Science of Life without Free Will
By: Robert M. Sapolsky
4.25
Format: 528 pages, Hardcover
One of our great behavioral scientists, the bestselling author of Behave, plumbs the depths of the … read more
Want to Read $ 18.99Similar categories in Robert M. Sapolsky's Determined: A Science of Life without Free Will book and Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
- audiobook
- psychology
- philosophy
- nonfiction
- sociology
- science
"I’m being diplomatic. Many readers will know of the “replication crisis"-Robert M. Sapolsky, Determined: A Science of Life without Free Will
"Obviously, imposing these classifications on determinism, free will, and moral responsibility is wildly simplified. A key simplification is pretending that most people have clean “yes"-Robert M. Sapolsky, Determined: A Science of Life without Free Will
"You cannot decide all the sensory stimuli in your environment, your hormone levels this morning, whether something traumatic happened to you in the past, the socioeconomic status of your parents, you…"-Robert M. Sapolsky, Determined: A Science of Life without Free Will
14. Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
By: Steven Pinker
4.20
Format: 576 pages, Hardcover
If you think the world is coming to an end, think again: people are living longer, healthier, freer… read more
Want to Read $ 9.99Similar categories in Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress book and Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
- audiobook
- history
- politics
- psychology
- philosophy
- nonfiction
- society
- economics
- sociology
- science
"There is no law of complex systems that says that intelligent agents must turn into ruthless conquistadors. Indeed, we know of one highly advanced form of intelligence that evolved without this defec…"-Steven Pinker, Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
"Enlightenment humanism, then, is far from being a crowd-pleaser. The idea that the ultimate good is to use knowledge to enhance human welfare leaves people cold. Deep explanations of the universe, th…"-Steven Pinker, Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
"This heroic story is not just another myth. Myths are fictions, but this one is true-true to the best of our knowledge, which is the only truth we can have. We believe it because we have reasons to b…"-Steven Pinker, Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
"Our understanding of who we are, where we came from, how the world works, and what matters in life depends on partaking of the vast and ever-expanding store of knowledge. Though unlettered hunters, h…"-Steven Pinker, Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
15. Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think
By: Hans Rosling
4.36
Format: 342 pages, Hardcover
Factfulness: The stress-reducing habit of only carrying opinions for which you have strong supporti… read more
Want to Read $ 12.99Similar categories in Hans Rosling's Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think book and Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
- audiobook
- history
- politics
- psychology
- philosophy
- nonfiction
- economics
- science
"Free access to data doesn’t turn into knowledge without effort"-Hans Rosling, Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think
"Something frightening poses a perceived risk. Something dangerous poses a real risk."-Hans Rosling, Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think
"We like to believe that things happen because someone wanted them to, that individuals have power and agency: otherwise, the world feels unpredictable, confusing, and frightening."-Hans Rosling, Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think
"Does saying "things are improving" imply that everything is fine, and we should all relax and not worry? No, not at all. Is it helpful to have to choose between bad and improving? Definitely not. It'…"-Hans Rosling, Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think
16. Menti tribali: Perché le brave persone di dividono su politica e religione
By: Jonathan Haidt
4.21
Format: 420 pages, Paperback
Una suggestiva indagine dei meccanismi profondi che regolano la nostra esistenza, le decisioni che … read more
Want to Read $ 13.99Similar categories in Jonathan Haidt's Menti tribali: Perché le brave persone di dividono su politica e religione book and Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
- audiobook
- politics
- psychology
- philosophy
- nonfiction
- society
- sociology
- science
"Reasoning can take you wherever you want to go."-Jonathan Haidt, Menti tribali: Perché le brave persone di dividono su politica e religione
"Intuitions come first, strategic reasoning second."-Jonathan Haidt, Menti tribali: Perché le brave persone di dividono su politica e religione
"Anyone who values truth should stop worshipping reason."-Jonathan Haidt, Menti tribali: Perché le brave persone di dividono su politica e religione
"Science is a smorgasbord, and google will guide you to the study that's right for you."-Jonathan Haidt, Menti tribali: Perché le brave persone di dividono su politica e religione
17. The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America
By: Coleman Hughes
4.46
Format: 256 pages, Hardcover
An exciting new voice makes the case for a colorblind approach to politics and culture, warning tha… read more
Want to Read $ 15.99Similar categories in Coleman Hughes's The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America book and Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
- history
- politics
- philosophy
- nonfiction
- sociology
- audiobook
"Neoracists believe that we must indoctrinate children to cure them of racism. I say that children are racially innocent by nature, and we should protect that racial innocence for as long as possible."-Coleman Hughes, The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America
"The majority of effort channeled toward achieving racial equity hasn't been applied to the part of life that has the biggest influence on people's skills and mindsets: namely birth to eighteen years …"-Coleman Hughes, The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America
"By [college], many skills, attitudes, and habits have already been formed. We can have a much bigger impact on people at younger ages. Efforts to achieve true equity should focus instead on high-qual…"-Coleman Hughes, The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America
"The common humanity and anti-racism of the civil rights movement had strong ties to Christianity. And Christianity promoted the value of interracial harmony: unity in Christ. But the appeal of Christ…"-Coleman Hughes, The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America
18. From Bacteria to Bach and Back: The Evolution of Minds
By: Daniel C. Dennett
3.77
Format: 477 pages, Paperback
How did we come to have minds? For centuries, poets, philosophers, psychologists, and physicists ha… read more
Want to Read $ 9.99Similar categories in Daniel C. Dennett's From Bacteria to Bach and Back: The Evolution of Minds book and Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
- audiobook
- history
- psychology
- philosophy
- nonfiction
- science
"Comprehension is not the source of competence or the active ingredient in competence; comprehension is composed of competences."-Daniel C. Dennett, From Bacteria to Bach and Back: The Evolution of Minds
"That's a rhetorical question, and trying to answer rhetorical questions instead of being cowed by them is a good habit to cultivate."-Daniel C. Dennett, From Bacteria to Bach and Back: The Evolution of Minds
"We Homo sapiens are the only species (so far) with richly cumulative culture, and the key ingredient of culture that makes this possible is language."-Daniel C. Dennett, From Bacteria to Bach and Back: The Evolution of Minds
"Don’t be afraid of a little metaphor; it won’t bite you, but you should always make sure you know how to cash it in for unvarnished fact when you feel the urge."-Daniel C. Dennett, From Bacteria to Bach and Back: The Evolution of Minds
19. Bizarre: The Most Peculiar Cases of Human Behavior and What They Tell Us about How the Brain Works
By: Marc Dingman
4.04
Format: 288 pages, Paperback
The human brain is an impossibly complex and delicate instrument - capable of extraordinary calcula… read more
Want to Read $ 19.99Similar categories in Marc Dingman's Bizarre: The Most Peculiar Cases of Human Behavior and What They Tell Us about How the Brain Works book and Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
- audiobook
- nonfiction
- psychology
- science
20. Upheaval: Turning Points for Nations in Crisis
By: Jared Diamond
3.90
Format: 512 pages, Hardcover
In his international bestsellers Guns, Germs and Steel and Collapse, Jared Diamond transformed our … read more
Want to Read $ 16.99Similar categories in Jared Diamond's Upheaval: Turning Points for Nations in Crisis book and Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
- audiobook
- history
- politics
- nonfiction
- economics
- sociology
- science
"Britain never regained its naval and economic dominance over the world, and it remains notoriously conflicted (“Brexit"-Jared Diamond, Upheaval: Turning Points for Nations in Crisis
"Allende had good ideas, but he executed them poorly. Although he correctly recognized Chile’s problems, he adopted wrong solutions to those problems."-Jared Diamond, Upheaval: Turning Points for Nations in Crisis
"Nations and individuals accept national and individual responsibility to take action to solve the problem, or else deny responsibility by self-pity, blaming others, and assuming the role of victim."-Jared Diamond, Upheaval: Turning Points for Nations in Crisis
"Rigidity or inflexibility can be the result of a previous history of abuse or trauma, or of an upbringing that offered a child no permission to experiment or to deviate from the family norms. Flexibi…"-Jared Diamond, Upheaval: Turning Points for Nations in Crisis
21. The Singularity Is Nearer: When We Merge with AI
By: Ray Kurzweil
3.93
Format: 432 pages, Hardcover
The noted inventor and futurist’s successor to his landmark book The Singularity Is Near explor… read more
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- science
- philosophy
- nonfiction
- sociology
- audiobook
