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

Rhododendrites
Steven Pinker

This program originally aired on March 8, 2018.

The pandemic, environmental degradation, ever more divisive politics... Sometimes it seems like the world is falling apart. But is it really?

In his latest book, "Enlightenment Now," author Steven Pinker, one of the foremost writers on language, the mind, and human nature - urges everyone to step back from the headlines full of doom. 

In this episode of River to River, Ben Kieffer talks with Pinker about his thoughts on religion, nationalism, reactionary politics, social media, and whether artificial intelligence may someday threaten the human species.

Guest:

Steven Pinker, Johnstone Family Professor of Psychology, Harvard University

Ben Kieffer is the host of IPR's River to River