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Prof. Steven Pinker - The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature
Language is the main channel in which human beings share the contents
of their consciousness. It offers a window into human nature, revealing
the hidden workings of our thoughts, our emotions, and our social
relationships.
In his lecture, Prof Steven Pinker will explore an
example of each: everyday metaphor as a window into human cognition;
swearing and taboo words as a window into human emotion; and indirect
speech-veiled threats and bribes, polite requests, and sexual come-ons
as a window into human relationships.
Professor
Steven Pinker is the Johnstone Family Professor in the Department of
Psychology at Harvard University. Until 2003, he taught in the
Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT.
He conducts
research on language and cognition, writes for publications such as the
New York Times, Time, and Slate, and is the author of seven books,
including The Language Instinct, How the Mind Works, Words and Rules,
and The Blank Slate.Recorded on 6 June 2008 at the University of Edinburgh's McEwan Hall.
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By The University of EdinburghLanguage is the main channel in which human beings share the contents
of their consciousness. It offers a window into human nature, revealing
the hidden workings of our thoughts, our emotions, and our social
relationships.
In his lecture, Prof Steven Pinker will explore an
example of each: everyday metaphor as a window into human cognition;
swearing and taboo words as a window into human emotion; and indirect
speech-veiled threats and bribes, polite requests, and sexual come-ons
as a window into human relationships.
Professor
Steven Pinker is the Johnstone Family Professor in the Department of
Psychology at Harvard University. Until 2003, he taught in the
Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT.
He conducts
research on language and cognition, writes for publications such as the
New York Times, Time, and Slate, and is the author of seven books,
including The Language Instinct, How the Mind Works, Words and Rules,
and The Blank Slate.Recorded on 6 June 2008 at the University of Edinburgh's McEwan Hall.
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