Enlightenment Now
The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from Wish List failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Enlightenment Now
Buy Now for $33.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Arthur Morey
-
By:
-
Steven Pinker
About this listen
Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Enlightenment Now by Steven Pinker, read by Arthur Morey. Includes a bonus PDF of graphs.
Is modernity really failing? Or have we failed to appreciate progress and the ideals that make it possible? If you follow the headlines, the world in the 21st century appears to be sinking into chaos, hatred and irrationality. Yet, as Steven Pinker shows, if you follow the trendlines, you discover that our lives have become longer, healthier, safer and more prosperous - not just in the West but worldwide.
Such progress is no accident: it's the gift of a coherent value system that many of us embrace without even realising it. These are the values of the Enlightenment: of reason, science, humanism and progress. The challenges we face today are formidable. But the way to deal with them is not to sink into despair or try to lurch back to a mythical idyllic past; it's to treat them as problems we can solve, as we have solved other problems in the past. This is the case for an Enlightenment newly recharged for the 21st century.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
©2018 Steven Pinker (P)2018 Penguin AudioWhat listeners say about Enlightenment Now
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tim Lehmann
- 20-02-2018
Essential listening
I loved "Better Angels" and this is a fitting sequel. A reminder that the big picture is a good one, regardless of what Facebook and Twitter may tell us.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
8 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Pieter
- 23-07-2019
Great story with some good arguments.
Overall this book makes a compelling argument for humanism, reason and enlightenment ideals, though it could have been much shorter.
The chapter on existentialism was certainly the weakest with some self defeating arguments, particularly with Pinker straw manning some of existential arguments.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Susanne
- 01-04-2018
excellent read
gives insight and clarity to world views, history, fake news and where we are heading in the future
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Silvia Wittwer Malisano
- 20-09-2021
Great Idea on pointing-out Human Achievements
Vast information, Very interesting and reassuring topics.
It is questionable though, whether nuclear power as an alternative resource of energy production is reasonable. Europeans were protesting against the radio active waste disposal back in the 80s, and no one wanted such a disposal site in their vicinity. It is interesting to know that ever since that time exit strategies have been put in place and the energy production through nuclear power has decreased with no new plants to be build in Switzerland.
The only part I disliked was the writers personal view about US politics.
All considered a great book. Loved the accompanying graphs and tables.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- David Bodeker
- 19-11-2022
Important
A tremendous work. Pinker uses research and facts to offer balance (and counter-balance) to the doom and gloom ideologies of this age. He is not the Pollyanna some would dismiss him as; he just offers perspective which in turn allows us to consider applying solutions to the world’s problems rather than sinking into nihilistic despair and radical destructive “activism”.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mick
- 14-12-2018
fantastic!
Loved it, couldn't stop listening. Highly recommend buying this book, us humans have accomplished more than you realise.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Liam
- 26-02-2019
Mine...Blown
For those worried, unsure or after a well thought out, very accessible to deforce in the state of an and world progression. This book is riddled with historical and contemporary evidentiary comparisons, contrast and detailed exploration of the progression of the world and society in terms of reason, humanism, science and morality this book is amazing. It forces you to look at things in ways you do an don't normally do and uses logic, reason, scientific progress and technique as well as philosophical analysis to tackle a plethora of past, present and future problems in a way that is characteristic of Steven Pinker's wonderful way of communication and writing.
If you haven't tried out Steven Pinker he is well versed in psychology, sociology, philosophy, scientific process, human nature, history and presents his ideas and arguments in a thoughtful, evidence-based, non-binary and most of all accessible way to people who are both knowledgeable and so-called "ley persons" on whatever topic he is covering (which is usually wide and varied in all his books with a general overarching theme or direction).
Definitely worth a read or listen during your commute. I feel like I need to give it a month or two then listen to it again. It's just so good and chockablock full of information.
JUST READ/LISTEN TO IT!!!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Austin L.
- 11-08-2020
noice
purty noice meyn. fun read very interesting concepts. great author with some eye opening ideas
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Thomas Darby
- 30-04-2019
requires a reread
if you can listen to hundreds of statistics and remember them all, then this book is for you. I'll require a few rereads of this book though.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- David
- 11-09-2019
A challenge to us all
Well argued, well thought through, Pinker helps us cut through the rhetoric to get to the truth. The truth is better than we thought and not as easy to manipulate for an agenda as we thought, though many will continue to try. We need this book and we need its challenge to confront reality and forge a meaningful way forward together.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!