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Steven Pinker:
Human nature and the blank slate

TED2003 · 22:42 · Filmed Feb 2003
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Steven Pinker's book The Blank Slate argues that all humans are born with some innate traits. Here, Pinker talks about his thesis, and why some people found it incredibly upsetting.

Steven Pinker
Psychologist
Steven Pinker questions the very nature of our thoughts — the way we use words, how we learn, and how we relate to others. In his best-selling books, he has brought sophisticated language analysis to bear on topics of wide general interest. Full bio
This talk was presented at an official TED conference, and was featured by our editors on the home page.
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The Blank Slate
Steven Pinker
Penguin
2003

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