'The Better Angels of our Nature' by Steven Pinker
Renowned Harvard Psychologist Steven Pinker has written what must surely be one of the most important non-fiction books of the last decade. His aim, no less, is to present a history and study of violence.
War, conflict and barbarity are considered hallmarks of being human, and one would be forgiven in thinking that in today’s world humanity is sunk in barbarity, and that the present era is the worse ever.
Pinker argues that this is a mistake. In truth we live in the most peaceful and enlightened periods,
unprecedented in human history. However, this is not a fluffy philosophy of idealism, it is backed up by hard statistics and evidence.
The first part of the book is a history lesson. We learn on the evolutionary predispositions of our early ancestors, tribalism, classical conquest, medieval crusades, and finally what can be considered the enlightened era from the seventeen century onwards. It is the Renaissance that saw the promotion of reason and rationality. From it came humanitarian reform, and human rights which continue to make strides even today.
However, the aim is not simply to delineate a tapestry of colors, but show where the threads end and begin. The trajectory of violence is radically going down in both quality and quantity. Unlike what the media would have us believe, we are all becoming more civilized, empathetic, clever and peaceful as a species. There is a well founded belief, that we are coming of age. and that fairness, equality and even happiness, will continue to make positive contributions to our societies.
There is, of course, a major anomaly. The twentieth century saw two particularly devastating wars, not to mention a flurry of genocides. It is a cliche, and one which almost comes without question,
that truly this was the worse century for human brutishness. However, what Pinker suggests, and the statistics also collaborate, is that these wars are red herrings or anomalies in scientific terms. It seems almost crass or idolatrous to view them as such, because it belies the suffering they caused. Nevertheless in scientific terms, we have every reason to be hopeful for the future.
The second part of book aims to explore some of the reasons that violence and conflict have decreased over the millennia in both the individual and the state. We learn of the innate chemical and biological tendencies that lodge in the heart, or more likely, or head. How globalism and novels have expanded our viewpoints and thus our empathy. How the Enlightenment helped us understand ourselves and society by triumphing reason. And finally, how the harnessing power of the state has curbed our enthusiasm for conflict. In todays era, the state is construed as a beast that curtails human liberty. At worse it is imprisonment, at best, conservative and undemocratic.
However, in truth the ‘Leviathan,’ first described by Thomas Hobbes, actually tames our primitive instincts, by instilling within us taboos, rules and utilitarian philosophy. These contribute to our happiness in innumerable ways. Pinker talks about the myth of pure evil, and what came across is the fact that ‘evil’ can be explained. Often it is comprehensible and relates to such things as power, honour and justice. Our intellect, democratic rule, and cosmopolitan culture have all made lasting and beneficial changes to the human condition.
The book is truly magisterial. A staggering nine hundred pages, bursting with facts, figures, and stories. The writing is irreverent but penetrative, cheerful but though-provoking. What came across to me, is just how consistent the argument is. Pinker is in pursuit of one of the fundamental question marks of being human, and there is a zeal and joy in his exploration. To a certain extent, any review of such a book is bound to be inadequate, I have trouble reading a book of nine hundred pages, let alone imagining someone writing it! The omniscient scope is testament to the writer and scientist.
However, Pinker is no idealist. He is aware that the radical peace we now live under has been forged on a crucible of savagery. The brutality of our species often seems so pointless and stupid in hindsight. As such, he is right to argue optimism is not the right word. Instead we should feel gratitude. Gratitude that humanity out of the mire, has managed to forge for itself ‘better angels.’ He sees our own reason as something truly worthy and sacred, because it does not depend on force or superstition but has been painfully worked out by our fellow human beings. It is a wonder, how far we have come considering our genetic dispositions. In truth with have inherited a testament of man.
I don’t read to many science or psychology books but I have to say this is surely one of the best. An exciting passionate read which has opened my eyes to the real pathways humanity is marking for itself.
