The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature
by Steven Pinker
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Book Summary Information
Author: Steven PinkerEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2008-08-26
ISBN: 0143114247
Number of pages: 512
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Book Reviews of The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature
Book Review: Una oferta igual a la demanda
Summary: 5 Stars
El primer libro que le? de Steven Pinker fue "C?mo funciona la mente." Entonces comprend? que hab?a una belleza independiente de la divinidad. Una belleza natural, que se forma desde y hacia la naturaleza. Una belleza numerosa, diversa y -por qu? no- contradictoria, abismal y colmada de secretos. Este libro, en cambio, es una respuesta y, por lo mismo, una defensa de la actividad intelectual. Es una ense?a para el que empieza o se decide a perder el miedo a pensar. La idea de una Tabula Rasa que se iba llenando a medida que avanz?bamos en el camino de la vida, resultaba c?moda para izquierdas y derechas. El fantasma en la m?quina se acomodaba a los supuestos de la divinidad m?s pedestre, la del hombre de la calle, la del que va a la iglesia (churchgoer). Pues bien, lo que hace Pinker es ponernos al tanto de la lucha en que se involucran los hombres que buscan el saber, esto es, los que ponen entre signos de interrogaci?n esos dos supuestos b?sicos, junto con todos sus supuestos asociados. Y nos dice c?mo y -por si esto fuera poco- nos dice por qu?.
Pinker echa abajo las puertas y corta las amarras. Y vemos la inmensidad del grano de arena que sostiene entre sus dedos el poeta William Blake, y comprendemos todo el horror y la belleza que anunciaba otro poeta, Rainer Maria Rilke, cuando dec?a que todo ?ngel es terrible... Aqu? no se admiten dioses saliendo de ninguna m?quina. Quien se acerque a esta lectura descubrir? certezas nuevas y nuevos interrogantes. La trama del pensamiento no debiera asustar a sus lectores, pues en ella, aun la idea determin?stica que se desliza, nos concede un rango tan infinitamente variado, que las apuestas siguen y seguir?n siendo un buen negocio.
Invito a los lectores a dejarse llevar por esta aventura del pensamiento, a dejarse seducir por esta summa magn?fica en la que nada falta, salvo una menci?n honrosa a la divinidad que, pueden creerme, no echar?is en falta.
(Puede complementarse esta lectura con el volumen "Nature via Nurture" ("Qu? nos hace humanos," en la versi?n espa?ola disponible) de Matt Ridley. Leerlas en este orden os producir? un inigualable deleite intelectual. Palabra de lector).
Summary of The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature
This New York Times bestseller is an exciting and fearless investigation of languageBestselling author Steven Pinker possesses that rare combination of scientific aptitude and verbal eloquence that enables him to provide lucid explanations of deep and powerful ideas. His previous books-including the Pulitzer Prize finalist The Blank Slate-have catapulted him into the limelight as one of today's most important popular science writers. In The Stuff of Thought, Pinker presents a fascinating look at how our words explain our nature. Considering scientific questions with examples from everyday life, The Stuff of Thought is a brilliantly crafted and highly readable work that will appeal to fans of everything from The Selfish Gene and Blink to Eats, Shoots & Leaves.
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