The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature

Steven Pinker

This is an important book that in not only fun to read, but quite persuasive. If you have any interest at all in the Nature vs Nurture debate you must read this book. This book is not a political diatribe, but is a balanced, well-thought out, and well-researched examination of issues that have been important to Western Civilization for 500 years or more.

The author, Steven Pinker, is a leading cognitive scientist. He cites mountains of evidence to buttress his case that nature beats nurture. This is not a popular stance in this age of “political correctness”, but if one reads this with an open mind it is hard to disagree with the evidence and the author’s conclusions. However, the author is not unrealistic; he does not deny the common sense conclusion that both nature and nurture play their appropriate roles.

This book is both enlightening and entertaining. If it were not entertaining I would not recommend it.

It could almost be said that this book should be “required reading” for all of us who care about psychology, politics, parenting, and many other crucial issues.

It is important to be open-minded. Anyone who is open-minded will really enjoy this book and the stimulation it will provide.

Review by Len Oppenheim