Steven Pinker specializes in visual cognition and developmental linguistics, as well as a number of experimental topics. Pinker has written two technical books that proposed a general theory of language acquisition. In particular, his work with Alan Prince posited that children use default rules sometimes in error but are obliged to learn irregular forms one by one. Pinker is the author of nine books for general audiences. The Language Instinct (1994), How the Mind Works (1997), Words and Rules (2000), The Blank Slate (2002), and The Stuff of Thought (2007) posit that language is an innate behavior shaped by natural selection and adapted to our communication needs. Pinker's The Sense of Style (2014) is a general language-oriented style guide. Pinker's book The Better Angels of Our Nature (2010) posits that violence in human societies has generally declined over time, and identifies six major trends and five historical forces of this decline. Enlightenment Now (2018) further argues that the human condition has generally improved over recent history because of reason, science, and humanism. The nature and importance of reason is also discussed in his book Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters (2021).
Life and Career
In 2004, Pinker was named in Time's "The 100 Most Influential People in the World Today", and in 2005, 2008, 2010, and 2011 in Foreign Policy's list of "Top 100 Global Thinkers". He was also included in Prospect Magazine's top 10 "World Thinkers" in 2013. He has won awards from the American Psychological Association, the National Academy of Sciences, the Royal Institution, the Cognitive Neuroscience Society, and the American Humanist Association. He has served on the editorial boards of a variety of journals and on the advisory boards of several institutions. Pinker was also the chair of the Usage Panel of the American Heritage Dictionary from 2008 to 2018.
Key Facts
- Born: September 18, 1954 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Field: Science
- Awards: Troland Award (1993, National Academy of Sciences) Henry Dale Prize (2004, issued by the AHA) George Miller Prize (2010
Awards and Recognition
Steven Pinker received significant recognition for his contributions:
- Troland Award (1993
- National Academy of Sciences) Henry Dale Prize (2004
- issued by the AHA) George Miller Prize (2010
Legacy and Impact
The influence of Steven Pinker extends far beyond his own lifetime. He fundamentally shaped our understanding of the natural world, and his discoveries and theories remain foundational to this day.
Steven Pinker remains one of the most celebrated minds to emerge from Canada, a testament to the rich intellectual heritage of the region.
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