The belief that humans are naturally selfless and peaceful, and that greed or violence are purely products of corrupting social institutions.
The core of the essay explores why the "Blank Slate" is so fiercely defended. Pinker suggests it stems from four fears:
The idea that the mind has no innate structure and is molded entirely by culture and experience. TГЎbula Rasa - Steven Pinker
Pinker draws on evolutionary psychology, genetics, and neuroscience to argue that many aspects of our personality, intelligence, and social behavior are "hard-wired." He points to twin studies—which show that identical twins reared apart are remarkably similar—as evidence that genes play a significant role in shaping who we are. For Pinker, the brain is not a general-purpose sponge but a complex system of "mental modules" designed by natural selection to solve specific survival problems. The Fear of Human Nature
If we aren't born equal, will that justify discrimination? The belief that humans are naturally selfless and
The notion that we have a soul or "will" that makes choices completely independent of biology. The Scientific Rebuttal
In his 2002 book The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature , cognitive psychologist Steven Pinker challenges the widely held belief that the human mind at birth is a "tabula rasa" (blank slate). Pinker argues that this concept, while politically appealing, is scientifically inaccurate and prevents a realistic understanding of the human condition. The Three Myths The notion that we have a soul or
If our genes dictate our actions, can we be held responsible for them?