The Opposition…

The Blank Slate: Denying Human Nature in Modern Life

Steven Pinker

Discussion: 2007-Jan-Feb-Mar

Why we're reading this: February 7, 2007
[close] February 7, 2007

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 4 topics — 4 comments total

2007-Jan-Feb-Mar

This topic has been closed to new comments.

* March 2007
By Tiffany , WristStrong · 1 post · 5 views

last updated Nov 24, 2010 12:52AM

* February 2007
By Tiffany , WristStrong · 1 post · 5 views

last updated Nov 23, 2010 11:42PM

What Members Thought

Apr 14, 2013 Andy rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Pinker claims there is much opposition to the idea that biology (as opposed to parenting, etc.) is an important determinant of human behavior. This seems fishy to me because it is the exact opposite of my reality. Also, his narrow focus on a particular type of research might confuse people regarding the implications of the science.

In medical practice, there is extreme tunnel vision on biological causes of disease to the exclusion of other explanations. The reflex standard position in our societ Pinker claims there is much opposition to the idea that biology (as opposed to parenting, etc.) is an important determinant of human behavior. This seems fishy to me because it is the exact opposite of my reality. Also, his narrow focus on a particular type of research might confuse people regarding the implications of the science.

In medical practice, there is extreme tunnel vision on biological causes of disease to the exclusion of other explanations. The reflex standard position in our society now is that behavior problems in kids are "ADHD" or some other medical diagnosis to be treated with a drug. Does a huge percentage of kids really suffer from congenital Ritalin deficiency? When you do blinded trials of Ritalin, most kids referred for treatment do just as well on placebo. Meanwhile, there are real interventions involving school environment or cognitive behavior that could help but are generally not even considered. So it seems like our culture not only accepts biological explanations of behavior, but does so to excess.

The "3 laws" that he preaches are based on studies that only look at stable, middle-class families. They find that parenting/environment doesn't really matter. OK, fine, as long as you exclude bad parenting in a bad neighborhood. He does specifically mention this caveat, so he is not lying, but he is minimizing what seems to me like a much more important point for social policy. Readers who don't pay careful attention will walk away with the message that "parenting doesn't matter." If this helps them relax about college prep coaching for their toddlers, then that's nice, but we shouldn't forget about unlucky children who are beaten and malnourished and definitely do more poorly on average than kids who benefit from a nurturing environment.

I'll take his word for it that there is a Blank Slate/Noble Savage dogma in various pockets of academics, but still I feel like Pinker is mainly arguing against a straw man. To a certain point this is OK, because it's a useful device for livening up what would otherwise be a boring restatement of the obvious. He is a good writer and covers lots of interesting topics in a witty, eloquent fashion. This book is a starting point for discussions, but nothing more.

After looking at other reviews here I see that Pinker has indeed gotten facts wrong, including misquotes of his opponents regarding major points. I can't give more than 2 stars then despite the quality of the writing. I should have looked at Goodreads before reading this one! ...more

8 likes · Like · see review

Oct 17, 2009 Virginia rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: psychology, philosophy

Gonna flat out admit that I gave up on this one. I like Steven Pinker, and am hardly averse to "heavy" reading. But this got tedious. I still keep it by the bedside and try to get excited about it from time to time, but I doubt I'll ever finish the thing cover-to-cover.

It's not that the man doesn't make a solid argument. It might be too solid, though: dense and esoteric.

I totally get his point, and I actually agree with him in that BOTH sides of the political spectrum conveniently ignore what ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jul 30, 2019 Dea marked it as abandoned · review of another edition

The first section was really fascinating, the one describing how the brain wires itself during development. But then it felt like the book took a turn into name-calling where the author named specific scientists he disagreed with and trashed their theories. Now, I am not saying the theories did not deserve to be trashed, but it really felt like I was stepping into some big drama I knew nothing about and was expected to pick sides.

I made it through that section, hoping to leave the what felt lik ...more

Like · see review