Steven Pinker is one of the world's most influential cognitive scientists and public intellectuals. His groundbreaking work on language acquisition and human cognition has shaped modern psychology, while his bestselling books like The Blank Slate have challenged conventional wisdom about nature versus nurture. He combines rigorous scientific research with clear, accessible writing to illuminate how the mind works.
16 Books Recommended by Steven Pinker
Ranked by popularity across all reading lists on this site
The Beginning of Infinity
9 people recommendedrecommended 4xThis 21st-century statement of the ideals of the Enlightenment offers fresh insight on a vast number of topics.
This 21st-century statement of the ideals of the Enlightenment offers fresh insight on a vast number of topics.
This 21st-century statement of the ideals of the Enlightenment offers fresh insight on a vast number of topics.
This 21st-century statement of the ideals of the Enlightenment offers fresh insight on a vast number of topics.
Also recommended by: Naval Ravikant, Mark Zuckerberg, Patrick Collison, Chris Anderson, Mark Bell, Ryan Shea, Sam Harris, Derek Sivers
An allusion to [the author]'s groundbreaking 'Whole Earth Catalog,' which merged technology with the counterculture and encouraged global consciousness.
An allusion to [the author]'s groundbreaking 'Whole Earth Catalog,' which merged technology with the counterculture and encouraged global consciousness.
An allusion to [the author]'s groundbreaking 'Whole Earth Catalog,' which merged technology with the counterculture and encouraged global consciousness.
An allusion to [the author]'s groundbreaking 'Whole Earth Catalog,' which merged technology with the counterculture and encouraged global consciousness.
Also recommended by: Jack Dorsey, Marc Andreessen, Patrick Collison, Matt Ridley
The Blind Watchmaker
4 people recommendedrecommended 4xPerhaps the best display of expository scientific prose of the twentieth century.
Perhaps the best display of expository scientific prose of the twentieth century.
Perhaps the best display of expository scientific prose of the twentieth century.
Perhaps the best display of expository scientific prose of the twentieth century.
Also recommended by: Jeff Bezos, Charlie Munger, David Deutsch
Steven Pinker recommended this book in the "Tribe of Mentors" book.
Steven Pinker recommended this book in the "Tribe of Mentors" book.
Steven Pinker recommended this book in the "Tribe of Mentors" book.
Steven Pinker recommended this book in the "Tribe of Mentors" book.
Also recommended by: Charles Koch
Clear and Simple as the Truth
recommended 4xPerhaps the best analysis of writing style.
Perhaps the best analysis of writing style.
Perhaps the best analysis of writing style.
Perhaps the best analysis of writing style.
The Mental Life of Modernism
recommended 4xFascinating, important new book by friend & former colleague.
Fascinating, important new book by friend & former colleague.
Fascinating, important new book by friend & former colleague.
Fascinating, important new book by friend & former colleague.
Atrocities
recommended 3xA good way to settle bets (who was worse, Genghis Khan or Hitler?), brush up your history, and marvel at the cruelty and stupidity of our species.
A good way to settle bets (who was worse, Genghis Khan or Hitler?), brush up your history, and marvel at the cruelty and stupidity of our species.
A good way to settle bets (who was worse, Genghis Khan or Hitler?), brush up your history, and marvel at the cruelty and stupidity of our species.
One Two Three . . . Infinity
A delightful introduction to number theory, Einsteinβs theory of relativity, higher dimensions, and other mathematical and scientific topics.
The Evolution of Human Sexuality
recommended 4xThe founding document of evolutionary psychology, filled with insights about sex and the sexes, and more relevant than ever with #metoo.
The founding document of evolutionary psychology, filled with insights about sex and the sexes, and more relevant than ever with #metoo.
The founding document of evolutionary psychology, filled with insights about sex and the sexes, and more relevant than ever with #metoo.
The founding document of evolutionary psychology, filled with insights about sex and the sexes, and more relevant than ever with #metoo.
The Strategy of Conflict
recommended 4xSteven Pinker recommended this book in the "Tribe of Mentors" book.
Steven Pinker recommended this book in the "Tribe of Mentors" book.
Steven Pinker recommended this book in the "Tribe of Mentors" book.
Steven Pinker recommended this book in the "Tribe of Mentors" book.
36 Arguments for the Existence of God
recommended 4xA moving, hilarious, and intellectually deep novel about religion and atheism. Disclosure: I like this authorβs fiction so much that I married her.
A moving, hilarious, and intellectually deep novel about religion and atheism. Disclosure: I like this authorβs fiction so much that I married her.
A moving, hilarious, and intellectually deep novel about religion and atheism. Disclosure: I like this authorβs fiction so much that I married her.
A moving, hilarious, and intellectually deep novel about religion and atheism. Disclosure: I like this authorβs fiction so much that I married her.
The Science of Words
recommended 4xSteven Pinker recommended this book in the "Tribe of Mentors" book.
Steven Pinker recommended this book in the "Tribe of Mentors" book.
Steven Pinker recommended this book in the "Tribe of Mentors" book.
Steven Pinker recommended this book in the "Tribe of Mentors" book.
Retreat from Doomsday
recommended 4xSteven Pinker recommended this book in the "Tribe of Mentors" book.
Steven Pinker recommended this book in the "Tribe of Mentors" book.
Steven Pinker recommended this book in the "Tribe of Mentors" book.
Steven Pinker recommended this book in the "Tribe of Mentors" book.
The Nurture Assumption
recommended 4xA grandmother from New Jersey uses genetics, ethnography, and child psychology to refute the dogma that parents shape their children's intelligence and personality.
A grandmother from New Jersey uses genetics, ethnography, and child psychology to refute the dogma that parents shape their children's intelligence and personality.
A grandmother from New Jersey uses genetics, ethnography, and child psychology to refute the dogma that parents shape their children's intelligence and personality.
A grandmother from New Jersey uses genetics, ethnography, and child psychology to refute the dogma that parents shape their children's intelligence and personality.
Enemies, a Love Story
recommended 4xAbout a holocaust survivor who ends up with three wives. Every scene is a goldmine of insight about human nature.
About a holocaust survivor who ends up with three wives. Every scene is a goldmine of insight about human nature.
About a holocaust survivor who ends up with three wives. Every scene is a goldmine of insight about human nature.
About a holocaust survivor who ends up with three wives. Every scene is a goldmine of insight about human nature.
The Bias That Divides Us
recommended 4xThis is the book for our era.
This is the book for our era.
This is the book for our era.
This is the book for our era.