The Best of Us: Why Violence in the World Has Declined
29.99 €
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The Best of Us: Why Violence in the World Has Declined
29.99 €
Faced with an endless stream of news about wars, crime, and terrorism, it's easy to believe we're living through the most terrifying period in human history. But Steven Pinker demonstrates in his astonishing and gripping book that the opposite is true: violence has been declining for millennia, and we are, in all likelihood, living in the most peaceful time in the history of our species.
In the past, wars, slavery, infanticide, child abuse, murder, pogroms, mutilating punishments, bloody clashes, and genocide were commonplace. But in our own time, Pinker shows (including using over a hundred graphs and maps) that all these forms of violence have significantly declined and are increasingly condemned by society everywhere. How did this happen?
In this groundbreaking work, Pinker explores the depths of human nature and, combining history and psychology, paints a striking picture of a world increasingly eschewing violence. The author helps us understand our complex motives—the inner demons that drive us to violence and the good angels that point us in the opposite direction—and traces how changing living conditions have enabled our good angels to prevail.
Debunking fatalistic myths that violence is an inherent feature of human civilization and that the times we live in are cursed, this bold and poignant book will undoubtedly spark heated debates in the offices of politicians and academics, as well as in the homes of ordinary readers, as it challenges and changes our views of society.
In the past, wars, slavery, infanticide, child abuse, murder, pogroms, mutilating punishments, bloody clashes, and genocide were commonplace. But in our own time, Pinker shows (including using over a hundred graphs and maps) that all these forms of violence have significantly declined and are increasingly condemned by society everywhere. How did this happen?
In this groundbreaking work, Pinker explores the depths of human nature and, combining history and psychology, paints a striking picture of a world increasingly eschewing violence. The author helps us understand our complex motives—the inner demons that drive us to violence and the good angels that point us in the opposite direction—and traces how changing living conditions have enabled our good angels to prevail.
Debunking fatalistic myths that violence is an inherent feature of human civilization and that the times we live in are cursed, this bold and poignant book will undoubtedly spark heated debates in the offices of politicians and academics, as well as in the homes of ordinary readers, as it challenges and changes our views of society.
See also:
- All books by the publisher
- All books by the author