Steven Pinker on Rationality and Humanist Values

By Lloyd Robertsonpublic, video

Even as a young teenager, Dr. Steven Pinker (@sapinker) prized rationality as a virtue, and considered himself an anarchist. He changed that belief, however, when evidence indicated that anarchy was not a path to human flourishing. In this special episode, a co-production with the New Enlightenment Project, previous Podcast for Inquiry guest Lloyd Hawkeye Robertson returns as a co-host. Together, Lloyd and Leslie explore with Dr. Pinker whether universities are betraying their mission, how the human brain spectacularly fails while also working wonders, the loose connections between science and technology with social and moral progress, and what humanity needs to do to continue to thrive for the next 50-100 years. This episode of Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada and the New Enlightenment Project. Produced by Matt Payne. Graphic design by Nikolay Nikitushkin. Music by Anthony Lazaro. Send your thoughts and feedback to info@nep-humanism.ca

Author

  • Lloyd Robertson

    Lloyd Hawkeye Robertson is an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at the University of Regina. His main professional interest has been on the evolution and structure of the self.   He has also published on the psychological impacts of Indian residential schools, the use of a community development process to combat youth suicide, the construction of the (North American) aboriginal self, the concept of free will in psychotherapy, and male stigma as it affects men’s identity.  He is currently President of the New Enlightenment Project: A Canadian Humanist Initiative.

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