79 pages • 2 hours read
Steven PinkerEnlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2018A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Enlightenment Now, Steven Pinker contends that Enlightenment-era values—reason, humanism, and science—are crucial yet undervalued. He argues against modern pessimism, demonstrating through quantitative evidence that, contrary to widespread beliefs, society has made significant progress in areas such as health, safety, and human rights, and advocates for continued adherence to these foundational principles to further improve society. The book references mental health conditions, anti-gay sentiment, death by suicide, sexual servitude, abuse, police violence, slavery, torture, and murder.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now is praised for its thorough use of data to argue that human progress is flourishing due to Enlightenment values. Critics appreciate his optimism and compelling narrative. However, some find Pinker's dismissal of contemporary social issues overly simplistic or naive. Despite this, the book is largely seen as a powerful, data-driven argument for optimism.
Who Should Read Enlightenment Now?
Readers of Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now are typically well-educated individuals with an interest in science, philosophy, and human progress. They enjoy data-driven arguments and intellectual discussions, similar to those found in works like Hans Rosling's Factfulness and Yuval Noah Harari's Sapiens.