Is 'Enlightenment Now' by Steven Pinker Worth Adding to Your Library?
Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now has gained considerable attention and praise for its optimistic view of human progress and its defense of Enlightenment values. This article explores the arguments for and against adding this book to your library, including its strengths and limitations.
Reasons to Add 'Enlightenment Now' to Your Collection
Optimistic Perspective: Pinker presents a compelling, data-driven argument that humanity is making continuous progress in various domains such as health, safety, and quality of life. His optimistic view can be refreshing in a world often inundated with negative news.
Empirical Evidence: The book is rich in statistics and historical context, making a strong case for the benefits of Enlightenment ideals such as reason, science, and humanism.
Interdisciplinary Insights: Pinker draws from psychology, history, economics, and sociology to provide a broad view of human progress and the forces that drive it.
Engagement with Critics: He addresses common criticisms of modernity and progress, making it a robust defense of Enlightenment values.
Caveats: What to Consider Before Adding the Book to Your Library
Optimism vs. Realism: Some critics argue that Pinker's optimism might overlook significant ongoing challenges such as inequality, climate change, and political instability. It is essential to balance his perspective with critical viewpoints.
Simplification of Complex Issues: While Pinker provides a broad overview, some topics may be oversimplified. Readers seeking in-depth analysis on specific issues might find this lacking.
Philosophical Stance: The book heavily emphasizes Enlightenment values, which may not resonate with those who prioritize different philosophical or cultural frameworks.
Potential Bias: Some critics suggest that Pinker's background and perspectives may lead to biases in his interpretation of data and history.
Conclusion: Weighing the Pros and Cons
If you appreciate data-driven arguments and an optimistic view of human progress, Enlightenment Now is likely worth adding to your library. However, it is beneficial to complement it with contrasting viewpoints to gain a more nuanced understanding of contemporary issues.
Rational Optimism vs Idealist Pessimism
Enlightenment Now and Matt Ridley's The Rational Optimist both advocate for a view that science and technology have made our lives immensely better. This perspective, however, may not align with a more nuanced understanding of humanity's current state. Pinker's message is not new; rather, it is a reaffirmation of the optimism brought about by the Enlightenment era.
On the surface, it seems that everything is better today than it was a just 100 years ago, let alone 1000 years ago. However, when we dig deeper, we discover a different picture. Mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and addiction are at an all-time high. Psychologically, our modern lives are often a wasteland. The same can be said about our physical health. Diseases such as heart disease, most cancers, and allergies are now prevalent and were virtually unknown in hunter-gatherer societies.
Historically, we have seen that when indigenous populations come into contact with Western civilizations, it often leads to a significant increase in diseases, alcoholism, depression, and suicide. Indigenous Australians, for example, did not have a word for cancer until modern times, and it is now the leading cause of death amongst them. Eating disorders, which were virtually unknown until a few decades ago, have now spread globally due to modern media.
To my mind, it is better to be an idealist pessimist. While a rational optimist might say, "Cheer up guys, no need to be depressed as this is the best of all worlds," the problems are not just limited to mental or physical health. They are also a reflection of a society that has become overly sensitive and sometimes too focused on material progress over human well-being.
For example, twenty years ago, a colleague of mine stated that we are living in a horrible time to have children. At first, my inner rational optimist came out and argued, "That's crazy and paranoid!"
However, low child mortality rates, while an incredible achievement, do not guarantee a perfect upbringing. Children have access to far more amenities and technology than their predecessors, but this has not necessarily made them happier or healthier. Modern media, while providing access to information, can also spread negative influences like eating disorders to remote corners of the world.
In conclusion, while Enlightenment Now is a valuable source of optimism and a defense of Enlightenment values, it is important to acknowledge the inherent flaws and challenges of modern life. The idealist pessimist approach, while perhaps too sensitive, is a reminder that progress comes with its own set of problems and that we should strive for balance in our understanding of human progress.