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

Steven Pinker argues that the world in the 21st century is not sinking into chaos, hatred, and irrationality, but is actually becoming longer, healthier, safer, happier, more peaceful, more stimulating, and more prosperous. He makes the case for an Enlightenment newly recharged for the 21st century, using our faculties of reason and sympathy to solve the problems that come with being products of evolution in an indifferent universe.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 576 pages
Publication date: 03 January 2019
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

The Sunday Times bestseller "Bristles with pure, crystalline intelligence, deep knowledge, and human sympathy" by Richard Dawkins delves into the question of whether modernity is truly failing or if we have failed to appreciate the progress and ideals that have made it possible. If one solely relies on the headlines, it may seem that the world in the 21st century is descending into chaos, hatred, and irrationality. However, Steven Pinker argues that this perception is an illusion, a result of historical amnesia and statistical fallacies. By examining the trendlines rather than the headlines, it becomes evident that our lives have experienced significant improvements in various aspects, not just in the West but across the globe. This progress is not accidental; it is the gift of a coherent and inspiring value system that many of us embrace without fully realizing it. These values are rooted in the Enlightenment, encompassing reason, science, humanism, and progress.

While the challenges we face today are formidable, ranging from inequality to climate change, artificial intelligence, and nuclear weapons, Pinker believes that we can address them effectively. Rather than succumbing to despair or longing for a mythical idyllic past, we should approach these problems as challenges that we can solve, just as we have overcome other obstacles throughout history. In making the case for an Enlightenment newly recharged for the 21st century, Pinker demonstrates how we can harness our faculties of reason and sympathy to tackle the problems inherent in being products of evolution in an indifferent universe. While we may never achieve a perfect world, Pinker offers a hopeful message that we can continue to make it a better one, defying the chorus of fatalism and reaction.

In conclusion, "Bristles with pure, crystalline intelligence, deep knowledge, and human sympathy" by Richard Dawkins provides a thought-provoking exploration of the state of modernity and the potential for positive change. By challenging prevailing narratives and highlighting the progress we have made, Pinker offers a roadmap for navigating the challenges of the 21st century and building a better world for ourselves and future generations.

Weight: 394g
Dimension: 129 x 196 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780141979090