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Intelligence Squared

Steven Pinker on The Better Angels of Our Nature

Intelligence Squared

Intelligence Squared

News, News Commentary, Arts, Society & Culture

4.21.2K Ratings

🗓️ 13 January 2017

⏱️ 61 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

We launch our first podcast of the year today – our 2011 talk by the world renowned American cognitive scientist Steven Pinker. In it he argues that, contrary to popular belief, we are living in the least violent period of history. And that even the horrific carnage of the last century, compared to primitive societies, is part of this trend. Pinker claims that, thanks to the spread of government, literacy and trade, we are actually becoming better people. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/intelligencesquared.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

So you've arrived you head to the brasserie then the terrace cocktail don't mind if I do

0:08.5

You raise your glass to another guest because you both know the holidays just beginning.

0:14.0

And you're only in Terminal 3.

0:18.0

Welcome to Virgin Atlantic's unique upper class clubhouse experience

0:22.0

where you'll feel like you've arrived before you've taken off.

0:27.0

Virgin Atlantic, see the world differently.

0:31.0

The new Samsung Galaxy Z-Flip 5 and Chromebook are better together.

0:37.0

Take hands-free selfies which automatically sync to your Chromebook, ready to edit, and access

0:41.6

recent Chrome tabs across both devices.

0:44.0

The new Galaxy Z Flip5 and Chromebook, better together.

0:48.0

Available on Sky Mobile.

0:50.0

Bluetooth and internet connection required.

0:52.0

You must be signed into the same Google account on both

0:53.9

your phone and Chromebook.

0:57.0

Believe it or not, and I know most people do not, violence has been in decline for long stretches of time and we may be

1:05.6

living in the most peaceful era in our species existence. The decline of violence

1:11.0

has not been steady. It has not brought violence down to zero,

1:15.9

and it is not guaranteed to continue.

1:18.6

But I hope to persuade you that it's a persistent historical development visible on scales from millennia to years, from wars

1:26.9

and genocides to the treatment of children and animals.

1:31.3

I'm going to walk you through six historical declines of violence.

1:35.0

Try to identify their immediate causes, that is particular historical events of the era,

...

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