Enlightenment Now

The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress

Steven Pinker

Book Synopsis

"Enlightenment Now" by Steven Pinker offers readers a compelling and optimistic overview of human progress. Pinker's book argues that despite the prevailing narrative of doom and gloom, the world is actually becoming a better place. Grounded in data and scientific evidence, Pinker explores various aspects of human well-being, including health, wealth, peace, knowledge, and happiness.

Drawing on historical trends, Pinker demonstrates how the Enlightenment ideals of reason, science, and humanism have led to remarkable advancements in society. He highlights the significant strides made in reducing poverty, improving education, increasing life expectancy, and enhancing democracy. Pinker debunks common misconceptions and fear-driven narratives, presenting a balanced assessment of the challenges that still lie ahead.

Pinker also addresses concerns around environmental sustainability, inequality, and other pressing issues. He acknowledges the ongoing struggles humanity faces, but argues that progress can be achieved by embracing Enlightenment values and continuing to harness the power of reason and knowledge.

Written in engaging and accessible prose, "Enlightenment Now" offers an uplifting and evidence-based perspective on the state of humanity. Pinker's narrative effectively challenges pessimism, providing readers with a fresh outlook on the world and inspiring them to actively contribute to the ongoing project of human progress.

Explore More Books

See All
The Heart of Yoga
Broken Money
Remote: Office Not Required
A Fighting Chance
A Brief History of Time
Why Wages Rise
The Boys in the Boat
Bloodlands
Trading Bases
Relentless
The Making of an American Thinking Class
Memos From The Chairman
The Hunger Games
Hidden Potential
The Measure of Reality
The Most Important Thing
Permaculture: A Designer's Manual
The Republic
Deep Medicine
Dead Wake
Margaret Thatcher: Herself Alone
The Ambiguities of Experience
The Wager
Drawing Life
Blink
A Short History of Financial Euphoria
How To Win at the Sport of Business
Look to Windward
Wonderworks
I Will Teach You To Be Rich
The Belly Art Project
The Venture Mindset
Malabar Farm
The Role of the Individual in History
My American Journey
Emergency
Automate This
Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart
Bureaucracy
High Growth Handbook
Frenemies
Start-up Nation
The Sleep Revolution
The Righteous Mind
Indigenous Continent
Genome
The Therapeutic Turn
The Secret Life of Salvador Dalí
The Martians of Science
The Immortality Key
Physics of the Impossible
The Elements of Statistical Learning
Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention
Trillion Dollar Coach
Way of the Warrior Kid
Jesse Livermore - Boy Plunger
Caste
Knowledge and The Wealth of Nations
Leonardo Da Vinci
Crime and Punishment
Andrew Carnegie
Batman
Altars of Unhewn Stone
Deep Learning
Resistance (At All Costs)
Walking
The Act of Creation
The Art of Asking
The Science of Conjecture
The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem
Inside the Investor's Brain
Seveneves
Great Expectations
The Success Equation
A Mind at Home with Itself
The Kite Runner
Conspiracy
The Experience Machine
The Chile Project
Thinking with Type
The Amber Spyglass
Home Economics
Thinking, Fast and Slow
Cloud Atlas
The Confessions
Hyperion
The Start-up of You
Tent Life in Siberia
The Gray Lady Winked
Down to Earth
Devil Take the Hindmost
The Piano Tuner
Scientific Advertising
Wealth of Wisdom
What Has Government Done To Our Money?
The Beginning Of Infinity
Old Man and the Sea
Trump: America First
Demons
Twilight of the Bombs