A Harvard University professor and cognitive scientist spoke last night at Ohio University's Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium about theories in his latest book The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature.
Steven Pinker, a 1998 Pulitzer Prize finalist, said three common theories of human nature are generally embraced. The three dominant ones are the blank slate theory, the noble savage theory and the doctrine of the ghost of the machine.
The blank slate theory states that human beings are born with a blank slate and have no innate traits; experience then fills the slate. Pinker said this theory is alive and well today, quoting California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, When kids go to school at the age of six there's an empty bucket there
and someone by the time they're 18 will fill that bucket. Is it going to be a parent? Is it going to be a good educator? Is it going to be a good mentor? Or is it going to be some other scum out there who is going to fill that bucket? Schwarzenegger asked.
The noble savage theory contends that people are born good and corrupted by society. The doctrine of the ghost of the machine contends the mind and the body are two separate entities.
People don't like to think of themselves as glorified pieces of machinery
Pinker explained.
Pinker said he disagreed with all three, but has the most trouble with the blank slate theory. The problem is blank slates don't do anything. He said the theory denies common traits of humanity and individual preferences, and distorts views of violence, parenting and government.
Pinker also denounced the importance of parenting styles to child development. Most of the studies on which the experts base their parenting advice are useless
he said. They don't take into account that parents give their children genes as well as environments. Genes, culture and chance shape children - not parents.
The fear of nihilism, or that biology strips life of meaning and purpose, causes humans to live in a way that will be rewarded in the afterlife. Belief in a life to come devalues life on earth
he said.
Carla Youngdahl, a graduate student in the School of Speech Language and Hearing Sciences, said she tried to approach Pinker's speech with an open mind. Even the things I didn't agree with
I didn't take offense to because he approached things very objectively
she said.
Baixi Su, a senior philosophy of physics major, said he watched a PBS special about similar issues. (Pinker's theories) aren't something that is thoroughly original.
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