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Enlightenment Now

The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress

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Enlightenment Now

By: Steven Pinker
Narrated by: Arthur Morey
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Brought to you by Penguin.

Is modernity really failing? Or have we failed to appreciate progress and the ideals that make it possible?

If you follow the headlines, the world in the 21st century appears to be sinking into chaos, hatred and irrationality. Yet, as Steven Pinker shows, if you follow the trendlines, you discover that our lives have become longer, healthier, safer and more prosperous - not just in the West but worldwide.

Such progress is no accident: it's the gift of a coherent value system that many of us embrace without even realising it. These are the values of the Enlightenment: of reason, science, humanism and progress. The challenges we face today are formidable. But the way to deal with them is not to sink into despair or try to lurch back to a mythical idyllic past; it's to treat them as problems we can solve, as we have solved other problems in the past. This is the case for an Enlightenment newly recharged for the 21st century.

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©2018 Steven Pinker (P)2018 Penguin Audio Consciousness & Thought History & Philosophy Movements Philosophy Political Science Politics & Government Science Society Socialism Capitalism Humanism Middle East Social justice Africa Economic Inequality Iran
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I loved "Better Angels" and this is a fitting sequel. A reminder that the big picture is a good one, regardless of what Facebook and Twitter may tell us.

Essential listening

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Overall this book makes a compelling argument for humanism, reason and enlightenment ideals, though it could have been much shorter.
The chapter on existentialism was certainly the weakest with some self defeating arguments, particularly with Pinker straw manning some of existential arguments.

Great story with some good arguments.

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gives insight and clarity to world views, history, fake news and where we are heading in the future

excellent read

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Vast information, Very interesting and reassuring topics.
It is questionable though, whether nuclear power as an alternative resource of energy production is reasonable. Europeans were protesting against the radio active waste disposal back in the 80s, and no one wanted such a disposal site in their vicinity. It is interesting to know that ever since that time exit strategies have been put in place and the energy production through nuclear power has decreased with no new plants to be build in Switzerland.
The only part I disliked was the writers personal view about US politics.
All considered a great book. Loved the accompanying graphs and tables.

Great Idea on pointing-out Human Achievements

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A tremendous work. Pinker uses research and facts to offer balance (and counter-balance) to the doom and gloom ideologies of this age. He is not the Pollyanna some would dismiss him as; he just offers perspective which in turn allows us to consider applying solutions to the world’s problems rather than sinking into nihilistic despair and radical destructive “activism”.

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