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Summary of Enlightenment Now 

4.5 . 4867 reviews

Short summary

“Enlightenment Now” answers the existential crisis question of why you are alive. It also shows us how the values of reason, science, and humanism have brought progress to our world. Steven Pinker is a Canadian-American cognitive psychologist, linguist, professor, and famous science author. He is a professor of psychology at Harvard University. In 2004, Time Magazine named Steven Pinker as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. In addition, he was named as one of the top 100 global thinkers by Foreign Policy in 2010 and 2011. He has served on the editorial boards of various journals such as Cognition, Daedalus, and PLOS One. Steven Pinker has also served on the advisory boards of several institutions. “The ideals of reason, science, humanism, and progress need a wholehearted defense.” ~ Steven Pinker

Table of content

  • Summary of Enlightenment Now
  • About the author
  • What is Enlightenment Now about?
  • Who should read Enlightenment Now
  • Topics in Enlightenment Now
first key point

The enlightenment ideals of reason, science, humanism, and progress can improve human lives

Listen the first key point
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A lot of people have the wrong knowledge and mindset about the situation of the world; they believe that the world is in terrible shape. Their worldview is centered on humans trapped in poverty, flawed educational systems, crimes, etc. Having observed this, Steven Pinker provides a different understanding of the world focused on enlightenment ideals. These ideals are reason, science, humanism, and progress, which have led to the rise of health, prosperity, safety, peace, and happiness worldwide. In a public lecture, a student asked Steven Pinker the reason for living. The tone of the question didn’t suggest that the student was suicidal or sarcastic. She was actually genuinely looking for the meaning and purpose of life. The answer Steven Pinker gave the student was the ideals of enlightenment. The enlightenment principle uses reason and sympathy to improve human existence. We need to defend reason, science, humanism, and progress like never before.
Compared with what is propagated in the media, the world is getting better because humans live longer and healthier on average than before.
Many good things happen in the world today that most people don’t know. For example, the world is becoming more equal; poor people are getting wealth and benefits from the emergence of technology. In addition, many people are currently advocating for equal rights; this was not the case centuries ago.

In this summary, you will be exposed to the ideals of enlightenment and how they can be defended in the 21st century. In addition, you will be informed on what is going on around you that the media does not publicize.
The ideals of the Enlightenment are products of human reason, but they always struggle with other strands of human nature: loyalty to tribe, deference to authority, magical thinking, the blaming of misfortune on evildoers. ~ Steven Pinker
second key point

Enlightenment answers the question of why we are alive

Philosopher Immanuel Kant defines enlightenment as humans coming out of selfishness obtained from immaturity and its submission to beliefs of religious and governmental authorities. He sees enlightenment’s basis as freedom of thought and speech, and its motto is “dare to understand.” The only way to make progress is by daring to understand science, morality, politics, and more. There will always be problems, as failure is due to insufficient knowledge, and problems arise when knowledge does not suffice. The way forward is, therefore, a search for knowledge and attempting to understand.
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third key point

Entropy, evolution, and information are the three keys necessary to understanding the human condition

fourth key point

We should be grateful for all our progress instead of ignoring it

fifth key point

The state of the world now shows both good and bad progress, and it is up to us to determine where we end up

sixth key point

Equal rights are a result of enlightenment and show how proper reason and understanding can help the world progress

seventh key point

Reason, science, and humanism as the ideals of enlightenment

eighth key point

Conclusion

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What is Enlightenment Now about?

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Do you find yourself staring at your computer for long minutes, unaware of time slipping by? Do you enter a room and suddenly cannot remember why you stepped in the first place? Is it a herculean task for you to sit through ten pages of a book without reaching for your phone? If yes, your focus needs some work and fast.

Actually, yours is not a unique situation. Many adults like you have issues concentrating on a given task. However, in this fast-paced world of ours, you can’t afford to be not focused at all times. Thankfully, this article comes to your rescue! With the tips and tricks from Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey, you will get in the top percent of folks who have mastered the art of concentration.