The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature

Institute of Social Psychology ‘Psychology as Social Science’ public lecture

In this lecture Professor Steven Pinker will talk about his exhilarating and thought-provoking book The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature. Language is the main channel in which human beings share the contents of their consciousness. It thereby offers a window into human nature, revealing the hidden workings of our thoughts, our emotions, and our social relationships. Pinker explores an example of each: everyday metaphor as a window into human cognition; swearing and taboo words as a window into human emotion; and indirect speech-veiled threats and bribes, polite requests, and sexual come-ons-as a window into human relationships. And, with this book, he also shows just how stimulating and entertaining language can be.

Steven Pinker is the Johnstone Family Professor in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University. Until 2003, he taught in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT. He conducts research on language and cognition, writes for publications such as the New York Times, Time, and Slate, and is the author of seven books, including The Language Instinct, How the Mind Works, Words and Rules, The Blank Slate, and most recently, The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature.

This event marks the launch of the paperback edition of Steven Pinker's most recent book The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature (Penguin, June 2008).

Register to tell a friend about this lecture.

Comments

If you would like to comment about this lecture, please register here.

©2003-2006 Niminim Limited. Created by

Any ad revenue is entirely reinvested into the Lecture List's operating fund