Verified Document

Analyzing Five Paragraphs Integrating Pinker Quotes

Pinker (2003) discusses the concept that the mind is blank slate, and hence equal with its entire structure coming "from socialization, culture, parenting, and experience." (0.32) One may consider this to mean that human beings have no nature, in the words of Jose Ortega Gasset, a historian. This again signifies that humans have no instinct, as stated by Ashley Montagu (0.50), the anthropologist. Stephen Jay Gould, the late paleontologist and biologist, states that our brain handles a whole range of different behaviors, while being susceptible to none (Transcript of "Human nature and the blank slate," 0.58, 2003). "The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature," a book by Steven Pinker, states that blank slate of mind influenced the thinking in the realms of relevant studies in the 20th century." (0.42). This was on the basis of the popular notion (in those times, accepted largely possibly because of the freshness of the idea supported by undeniable, carefully chosen proofs) that our mind represents a blank slate, with its whole structure stemming from experience, socialization, culture, and parenting, indicating the previously-mentioned ideas of Gasset, Gould, and Montagu (Transcript of "Human nature and the blank slate," Feb, 2003).

Numerous reasons exist for doubting...

As I have heard from a number of individuals over time, anybody with two or more kids is well aware that their children have some inborn talents and temperaments, not derived from their external environment. Children exposed to language will acquire it, while one's pet will not, probably due to some intrinsic difference between the two. Similarly, all those in a heterosexual relationship are aware that the minds of women and those of men are similarly inclined (1.34). Moreover, increasing outcomes of scientific research of humans prove that mankind, indeed, isn't a blank slate at birth. One among these is an anthropologic study -- into human universals. However, if, instead, one explores the commonalities in different cultures, one can see that an immensely rich range of emotions and behaviors and worldviews exist in the 6,000+ cultures around the world (Transcript of "Human nature and the blank slate," 2003).
The longstanding dream of perfecting mankind by means of social engineering proposes that mind is initially a blank slate, influenced by experience, socialization, parenting and cultures prevalent in the society giving it shape and disposition (0.34). Meanwhile, if man is born with specific…

Sources used in this document:
References

Pinker S. (2003). Human nature and the blank slate. Retrieved 27 January 2016 http://www.ted.com/talks/steven_pinker_chalks_it_up_to_the_blank_slate

Transcript of "Human nature and the blank slate" (2008). Retrieved January 27, 2016, from https://www.ted.com/talks/steven_pinker_chalks_it_up_to_the_blank_slate/transcript?language=en
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Analyzing Five Paragraphs Integrating Pinker Quotes
Words: 707 Length: 2 Document Type:

Integrating Pinker Quotes Pinker (2003) states that, "The human mind is a blank slate" with its entire structure coming "from socialization, culture, parenting, and experience." One may consider this to mean that human beings have no nature, in the words of Jose Ortega y Gasset, a historian. This again signifies that humans have no instinct, as stated by Ashley Montagu, the anthropologist. Stephen Jay Gould, the late paleontologist and biologist,

Generational Conflict and Adult Decision-Making
Words: 2441 Length: 6 Document Type: Term Paper

Distinctly from John Updike's teenage character Sammy in his short story "A&P," who realizes he has just become an adult; Connie as suddenly realizes she feels like a kid again. Now she wishes the family she usually hates having around could protect her. The actions of the fearsome Arnold, are foreshadowed early on, when he warns Connie, the night before, after first noticing her outside a drive-in restaurant: "Gonna get

Jesus' Teachings, Prayer, & Christian Life He
Words: 35411 Length: 109 Document Type: Dissertation

Jesus' Teachings, Prayer, & Christian Life "He (Jesus) Took the Bread. Giving Thanks Broke it. And gave it to his Disciples, saying, 'This is my Body, which is given to you.'" At Elevation time, during Catholic Mass, the priest establishes a mandate for Christian Living. Historically, at the Last Supper, Christ used bread and wine as a supreme metaphor for the rest of our lives. Jesus was in turmoil. He was

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now