The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human NatureThe Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature
Score Modern
What it's about
Steven Pinker argues against three popular ideas: that the mind is a blank slate shaped entirely by experience, that humans are naturally peaceful 'noble savages' corrupted by society, and that we have a soul separate from biology. He draws on genetics, evolution and psychology to argue that human nature is real, and that accepting it doesn't threaten equality, freedom or morality.
Why it's worth reading
It was a Pulitzer finalist. It's provocative and lively about some of the most contentious questions there are.
You'll love it if you liked
The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined
The Selfish Gene
Darwin's Dangerous IdeaGood to know
It touches on gender, parenting, violence and politics, and some of its claims remain contested.
By the numbers
- Readers61 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics32 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller20 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #84 of the 119 science and ideas books we rank
- #162 of the 198 history books we rank
- #777 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1456 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
True story, Thought-provoking
More by Steven Pinker
The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined
How the Mind WorksIf you like this, read next
The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer
American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History
The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine
BarrayarExplore the best-of lists
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Quick answers
Is The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature worth reading?
Yes. It was a Pulitzer finalist. It ranks #1,456 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 68.6 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature about?
Steven Pinker argues against three popular ideas: that the mind is a blank slate shaped entirely by experience, that humans are naturally peaceful 'noble savages' corrupted by society, and that we have a soul separate from biology. He draws on genetics, evolution and psychology to argue that human nature is real, and that accepting it doesn't threaten equality, freedom or morality.
How long does it take to read The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature?
About 14 hours (547 pages), or about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature?
If you liked it, try The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined by Steven Pinker, The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins or Darwin's Dangerous Idea by Daniel Dennett.