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Quote by Steven Pinker

“Obviously no language is innate. Take any kid from any race, bring them up in any culture and they will learn the language equally quickly. So no particular language is in the genes. But what might be in the genes is the ability to acquire language.”

Quote by Steven Pinker

Author

Steven Pinker is a renowned cognitive psychologist, linguist, and author. His research focuses on language, cognition, and human behavior, particularly the relationship between language and thought. Pinker is known for his in-depth research on the evolution of language and his contributions to the field of cognitive science. more

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“Of course, genes can't pull the levers of our behavior directly. But they affect the wiring and workings of the brain, and the brain is the seat of our drives, temperaments and patterns of thought.”

Courses Brain Behavior Patterns Seats Genes Temperament Levers Wiring Behavior Patterns

Author:Steven Pinker

“One of my favourite kinds of movie is the American picaresque, in which the characters make their way across the country, learning about life against the gorgeous backdrops of that vast land.”

Way Kind Country Character Land Favourite Gorgeous Backdrop Picaresque

Author:Steven Pinker

“One of the things that people complain about is loneliness, disconnectedness. If you live in a society where your life is rarely threatened and most of your relationships are more on an economic exchange basis, then this could leave people feeling less connected.”

People Ifs Feelings Life Is Economic Loneliness Bases Connected Complaining Threatened Disconnectedness

Author:Steven Pinker

“People know there is a difference between what you do and what you accept. There is a difference between me knowing that people swear, me hearing people swear and me swearing, and everyone accepting that this is something you can do as much as you like.”

People Knows Can Do Differences Accepting Knowing Hearing Swear Swearing

Author:Steven Pinker

“Photography is a demanding action sport. The light can change so quickly. I often find myself sprinting so that I can catch the perfect light falling on a photogenic subject.”

I Can Light Action Fall Sports Perfect Subjects Photography Photogenic

Author:Steven Pinker

“Plants can't very well defend themselves by their behavior, so they resort to chemical warfare, and plants are saturated with toxins and irritants to deter creatures like us who want to eat them.”

Want Wells Creatures Behavior Plant Chemicals Warfare Resorts Saturated Toxins Irritants Chemical Warfare

Author:Steven Pinker

“Probably Hobbes got it right when he said that a leviathan, a third party with a monopoly on the use of legitimate use of force in a territory, might be among the biggest violence reduction techniques ever invented.”

Said Use Might Force Party Violence Thirds Technique Territory Monopoly Reduction Third Parties Hobbes Use Of Force Leviathan

Author:Steven Pinker

“Regardless of its causes, thoughtlessly blaming the present is a weakness which, even if it is never outlawed, ought to be resisted. Though commonly flaunted as a sign of sophistication, it can be an opportunity for one-upmanship and an excuse for misanthropy, especially against the young.”

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Author:Steven Pinker

“Semantics is about the relation of words to thoughts, but it also about the relation of words to other human concerns. Semantics is about the relation of words to reality - the way that speakers commit themselves to a shared understanding of the truth, and the way their thoughts are anchored to things and situations in the world.”

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Book:The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature

Source: The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature

“So no, it's not all in the genes, but what isn't in the genes isn't in the family environment either. It can't be explained in terms of the overall personalities or the child-rearing practices of parents.”

Children Parent Term Practice Environment Personality Genes Child Rearing Rearing A Child

Author:Steven Pinker