The first edition of the novel was published in 1997, and was written by steven pinker. The classic book on the development of human language by the worlds leading expert on language and the mind. And he does it with the clarity and style that earned the language instinct worldwide. The first part of the book explains pinker s view on how the mind works. Pinker presents a realistic view of the mind as the pattern of information processing resulting from computational neuronal networks that evolved to solve specific adaptive problems. One must read how the mind works to feel the full force of the case it makes. Pinker is at his best employing a fluent, discursive style with references to popular culture as likely as to scholarly works. His notable books included the language instinct, how the mind works, and the blank slate. How the mind works by steven pinker is one ofthe best books available today about the human mind. Pinker used evolutionary psychology as one of the two main planks for his second bestseller, how the mind works. And they are satisfying ones, too, so the huge title how the mind. Combining the theories of natural selection and computational theory of mind, evolutionary psychologist steven pinker shares how the mind thought of as a system of organs, designed over long periods of time, functions to solve the problems of a species within the ecological niche such as the homo sapiens. In steven pinker the sequel, how the mind works 1997, earned a nomination for the pulitzer prize for general nonfiction.
The book gives an excellent introduction to cognitive science, which explores the human mind in terms of the composite fields of psychology, sociology, anthropology, biology. The book gives an excellent introduction to cognitive science, which explores the human mind in terms of the composite fields of psychology, sociology, anthropology, biology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and. My notes are a reflection of the journal write up above. In this extraordinary book, steven pinker, one of the worlds leading cognitive scientists, does for the rest of the mind what he did for language in his 1994 bestseller the language instinct. Does this book really give the answers to these kinds of questions. Pinker posits that the mind is what the brain does, and as scientist learn more about the brain and genetics we will have answers to the hardest questions. His popular and highly praised books include the better angels of our nature, the sense of style, the stuff of thought, the blank slate, how the mind works, and the language instinct.
In my book how the mind works, i defended the theory that the human mind is a naturally selected system of organs of computation. The first edition of the novel was published in january 1st 1994, and was written by steven pinker. Listen to how the mind works audiobook by steven pinker. In this classic, the worlds expert on language and mind lucidly explains everything you always wanted to know about language. How the mind works is a 1997 book by the canadianamerican cognitive scientist steven pinker, in which the author attempts to explain some of the human. The theories that pinker pushes are generally sound, and he goes at length to present scientific arguments for and against them. Steven pinker is one of the worlds most influential thinkers and writers on the human condition. Drawing heavily on the paradigm of evolutionary psychology articulated by john tooby and leda cosmides, pinker covers subjects such as vision, emotion, feminism, and the meaning. Steven pinker, canadianborn american psychologist who advocated evolutionary explanations for the functions of the brain and thus for language and behavior. How the mind works marks out the territory on which the coming centurys debate about human nature will be held. In that book, pinker expounded a scientific method that he termed reverse engineering. Groundbreaking author of the language instinct, the blank slate and how the mind works, steven pinker emerged from the field of cognitive science to be recognised as one of the worlds foremost and radical thinkers.
As lengthy as it is, it will produce a book in the readers head that is even longer. In this book steven pinker, a professor in the department of brain and cognitive science at mit, takes on the general task of explaining the process, and in so doing he finds something to say about almost every propensity of the mind at which a stick could be shaken. In this extraordinary bestseller, steven pinker, one of the worlds leading cognitive scientists, does for the rest of the mind what he did for language in his 1994 book, the language instinct. Jerry fodor claims that the mind doesnt work that way in a book with that title because 1 turing. How the mind works 9780393334777 by pinker, steven and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices.
Pinker is a cognitive neuroscientist who studies language acquisition in children. Steven pinker is a johnstone family professor in the department of psychology at harvard university. How the mind works book by steven pinker thriftbooks. How the mind works by steven pinker pdf book download. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. In this extraordinary book, steven pinker, one of the worlds leading cognitive scientists, does for the rest of the mind what he did for language. How the mind works represents an extension and considerable broadening of the investigation pinker did in preparing the language instinct. How the mind works is a 1997 book by canadianamerican cognitive scientist steven pinker. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 448 pages and is available in paperback format. This book is very interesting and insightful and very useful. How the mind works is a 1997 nonfiction book by steven pinker, who presents his ideas on how the human mind developed and how it produces the feats we take for granted every day, such as talking, walking, and making friends. The main characters of this science, psychology story are.
How the mind works is a 1997 book by canadianamerican cognitive scientist steven pinker, in which the author attempts to explain some of the human minds poorly understood functions and quirks in evolutionary terms. Well hypothesised, well written, and well defended. However, the book really takes off towards the end applying evoltionary. Digital rights management drm the publisher has supplied this book in encrypted form, which means that you need to install free software in order to unlock and read it. Jerry fodor claims that the mind doesnt work that way in a book with that title because 1 turing machines cannot duplicate humans ability to perform abduction inference to the best explanation. Buy how the mind works penguin press science new ed by pinker, steven isbn. How the mind works is a 1997 book by canadianamerican cognitive scientist steven pinker, in which the author attempts to explain some of the human mind s poorly understood functions and quirks in evolutionary terms. Two other books, how the mind works 1997 and the blank slate 2002, broadly surveyed the mind and defended the idea of a complex human nature with many mental faculties that are adaptive pinker is an ally of daniel dennett and richard dawkins in many disputes surrounding adaptationism. The language instinct 1994, how the mind works 1997, words and rules 2000, the blank slate 2002, and the stuff of thought 2007. Pinker talked about his new book how the mind works.
Another major theme in pinker s theories is that human. He sometimes digresses, but hell, i finally understood what deconstructionism was. How the mind works synthesizes the most satisfying explanations of our mental life from cognitive science, evolutionary biology, and other fields to explain what the mind is, how it evolved, and how it allows us to see, think, feel, laugh, interact, enjoy the arts, and contemplate the mysteries of life. This book is very well researched and well written by the renowned psychologist steven pinker. Review excerpts for how the mind works steven pinker. He explains what the mind is, how it evolved, and how it allows us to see, think, feel, laugh, interact, enjoy the arts, and ponder the mysteries of life. Steven pinker hasnt explained everything in his compelling new book. This book is a work of a pioneer of the highly developing field called evolutionary psychology. He examined two different approaches to studying the mind and. Free download or read online how the mind works pdf epub book. This book deserved its spot as number one on bestseller lists. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read how the mind works. The book attempts to explain some of the human mind s poorly understood functions and quirks in. For it alters completely the way one thinks about thinking, and its unforeseen consequences probably cant be contained.
How the mind works by pinker, steven and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. In this extraordinary bestseller, steven pinker, one of the wor. In this brilliant and controversial book, steven pinker, one of the worlds leading cognitive scientists, explains what the mind is, how it evolved, and how it allows us to see, think, feel, interact, enjoy the arts and ponder the mysteries of life. Check out the best evolutionary psychology books, the best psychology books, or get the book on amazon. Short description of book how the mind works is a 1997 book by canadianamerican cognitive scientist steven pinker, in which the author attempts to explain some of the human minds poorly understood functions and quirks in evolutionary terms. And i am twice greateful because it how the mind works also helped me improve my products, for example with steven pinker s intelligent analysis of humor and the use of quips to win debates. For lack of a more precise analogy, steven pinker is steven hawking of psychology.
The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 660 pages and is available in paperback format. This is more of an outcome of intense research work than a mere psychology nonfiction. He examined two different approaches to studying the mind and offered examples from everyday life to illustrate his ideas. Free download or read online the language instinct. Pinkers mind is definitely a machine, a point echoed on the book jacket with its design of little springs, cogs, nuts and widgets. It is wideranging, extremely well written, and has an thorough bibliography.
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