The theory of the blank slate is the idea that humans are born with no predisposed characteristics and abilities, and that we are shaped by our upbringing and culture. Everything a person becomes can be traced back to their environment. This theory has been explored and supported by many psychologists, philosophers and other researchers in the past century. Steven Pinker’s book The Blank Slate gives his readers an argument against this theory, as he believes that human behaviour is the result of
Review of Pinker, S. (2003). The Blank Slate: A Modern Denial of Human Nature, Penguin, London. (Word Count: 1,500) There is no debate as ancient, well known or as controversial in the fields of philosophy, psychology, and science, as that of nature versus nurture. It can be assumed through pure common sense that anyone in this day and age would have already come to the conclusion that human development requires, and is influenced by, the ineraction of both. However, Steven Pinker welcomes the opportunity
Stanley Milgram, Philip Zimbardo and Steven Pinker who all have theories that violence is a basic part of human nature. Scientist Stanley Milgram found that 65% of experiment participants would inflict pain in the name of obedience. Similarly, Philip Zimbardo conducted an experiment in Stanford University, which resulted in an early shut down due to the abuse of authority and high levels of violence and aggression. Steven Pinker, the author of The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature, proposes