Enlightenment Now cover art

Enlightenment Now

The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress

 Preview

Audible Standard 1-month free trial

Auto-renews at $8.99/mo + applicable tax after 30-day trial. Cancel Anytime
Try for $0.00
Compare plans

Enlightenment Now

Written by: Steven Pinker
Narrated by: Arthur Morey
Try for $0.00

$8.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $34.87

Buy Now for $34.87

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK OF 2018
ONE OF THE ECONOMIST'S BOOKS OF THE YEAR

If you think the world is coming to an end, think again: people are living longer, healthier, freer, and happier lives, and while our problems are formidable, the solutions lie in the Enlightenment ideal of using reason and science. By the author of the new book, Rationality.

Is the world really falling apart? Is the ideal of progress obsolete? In this elegant assessment of the human condition in the third millennium, cognitive scientist and public intellectual Steven Pinker urges us to step back from the gory headlines and prophecies of doom, which play to our psychological biases. Instead, follow the data: In seventy-five jaw-dropping graphs, Pinker shows that life, health, prosperity, safety, peace, knowledge, and happiness are on the rise, not just in the West, but worldwide. This progress is not the result of some cosmic force. It is a gift of the Enlightenment: the conviction that reason and science can enhance human flourishing.

Far from being a naïve hope, the Enlightenment, we now know, has worked. But more than ever, it needs a vigorous defense. The Enlightenment project swims against currents of human nature--tribalism, authoritarianism, demonization, magical thinking--which demagogues are all too willing to exploit. Many commentators, committed to political, religious, or romantic ideologies, fight a rearguard action against it. The result is a corrosive fatalism and a willingness to wreck the precious institutions of liberal democracy and global cooperation.

With intellectual depth and literary flair, Enlightenment Now makes the case for reason, science, and humanism: the ideals we need to confront our problems and continue our progress. Elections & Political Process Political Science Politics & Government Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science Social Sciences Violence in Society Socialism Capitalism Humanism Authoritarianism Happiness Liberalism Economic disparity Social justice Mental Health Health Economic Inequality
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
All stars
Most Relevant
I really enjoyed Pinker's book. Well written and a great way to combat the endless stream of bad news that seems to hit us each day.
#Audible1

Well worth a listen...

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
this is an important book because the ideas it speaks to, mainly secular humanism, are what has and will continue to improve our world. I think that Pinker does a great job making an argument for this. in the first part of the book he cites numerous stats it makes for a powerful argument and I'm not in a position to refute anything he claims. I think the second half of the book slightly drags and is a little esoteric, but he wraps up his arguments well. overall this is a great read, and my only fear is that it will be mainly consumed by people like me who already believe in the ideals (preaching to the choir), as it would definitely be more of a benefit those who believe in nationalism, tribalism, and religious Doctrine.

A very important book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Loved this book. A great argument for positivity and reason. Improves your general outlook on the state of the world while providing cautions for tomorrow. Far Right and far Left are both exposed for the falsity of their beliefs. #Audible1

A must listen to book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Enlightenment Now is the most captivating book I have listened to in a long time. Steven Pinker brings a pragmatic and unbiased perspective to the biggest challenges we face as a species and global family. A refreshing, indepth and surprisingly hopeful stastical analysis with a dash of humor. A must read for everyone who is worried, hopeless or overwhelmed by the state of the world.

All the Nobel prizes, Mr. Pinker

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
There is so much fearful noise and rhetoric out there. This book filters that out and looks at reality.

A must-listen.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews