In this episode of the Intelligence Squared podcast we were joined by Steven Pinker, cognitive psychologist and author of Enlightenment Now, in conversation with Cambridge University's David Runciman. They discussed the advances made in our societies over the last several hundred years, and whether optimism makes sense in today's turbulent times. 

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/intelligencesquared.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Intelligence Squared podcast we were joined by Steven Pinker, cognitive psychologist and author of Enlightenment Now, in conversation with Cambridge University's David Runciman. They discussed the advances made in our societies over the last several hundred years, and whether optimism makes sense in today's turbulent times. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/intelligencesquared. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Intelligence Squared podcast we were joined by Steven&nbsp;Pinker,&nbsp;cognitive psychologist and author of&nbsp;Enlightenment Now, in conversation with Cambridge University's David Runciman. They discussed the advances made in our societies over the last several hundred years, and whether optimism makes sense in today's turbulent times.&nbsp;

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/intelligencesquared.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steven Pinker and David Runciman on Optimism, Enlightenment and Progress

Intelligence Squared is the home of lively debate and deep-dive discussion. Follow Intelligence Squared wherever you get your podcasts and enjoy four regular episodes per week taking you to the heart of the issues that matter in the company of the world’s great minds. We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be. Send us an email or voice note with your thoughts to podcasts@intelligencesquared.com or Tweet us @intelligence2. 
And if you’d like to support our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations, as well as ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more, become a supporter of Intelligence Squared today. Just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more.

Society & Culture

News

Arts

News Commentary

Intelligence Squared is the home of lively debate and deep-dive discussion. Follow Intelligence Squared wherever you get your podcasts and enjoy four regular episodes per week taking you to the heart of the issues that matter in the company of the world’s great minds. We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be. Send us an email or voice note with your thoughts to podcasts@intelligencesquared.com or Tweet us @intelligence2. And if you’d like to support our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations, as well as ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more, become a supporter of Intelligence Squared today. Just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more.

Intelligence Squared is the home of lively debate and deep-dive discussion. Follow Intelligence Squared wherever you get your podcasts and enjoy four regular episodes per week taking you to the heart of the issues that matter in the company of the world’s great minds. We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be.&nbsp;Send us an email or voice note with your thoughts to podcasts@intelligencesquared.com or Tweet us @intelligence2.&nbsp;
And if you’d like to support our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations, as well as ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more, become a supporter of Intelligence Squared today. Just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more.

Share Steven Pinker and David Runciman on Optimism, Enlightenment and Progress

Sign up to save your podcasts

Steven Pinker and David Runciman on Optimism, Enlightenment and Progress

Steven Pinker and David Runciman on Optimism, Enlightenment and Progress

More shows like Intelligence Squared

The LRB Podcast

Economist Podcasts

Open to Debate

More or Less

In Our Time

Arts & Ideas

The Audio Long Read

The Politics Show

The Good Fight

The Intelligence from The Economist

How I Found My Voice

The Rachman Review

How to Lead a Sustainable Business with Alannah Weston

No Bullsh*t Leadership with Chris Hirst

Intelligence Squared: Business

It's The Economy

The Rest Is Politics

The Foreign Affairs Interview

Empire: World History

Past Present Future

Power Trip: The Age of AI

Iraq: Legacy of War

The Saudi Project

Intelligence Squared: Arts & Culture

Y TREE view

ADVERTISING WILL SAVE US

Black History & Culture

VS

Tides of Transformation: An Oil Story

Energised