From: Ramez Naam (mez@apexnano.com)
Date: Mon Mar 24 2003 - 23:37:34 MST
From: Lee Corbin [mailto:lcorbin@tsoft.com]
> Samantha writes
>
> > [Lee wrote]
> > > The entire notion that we even have /instincts/ predisposing us
> > > towards violence is in stark contrast to the doctrine of
> > > the Blank
> > > Slate, which has been basic dogma throughout the 20th century.
> >
> > Please support that contention. I am not aware of any such
"dogma".
>
> Though I have not finished it, I will heartily recommend
> (along with Damien) Steven Pinker's "The Blank Slate".
> It's an absolute *must* read.
I'm a big fan of Pinker's. Honestly though, he's tilting at
windmills. The "blank slate" idea may have been big 30 years ago, but
it's been dead as a doornail (in scientific circles) for quite some
time now.
Maybe he's aiming at more of a liberal arts audience - postmodernists
and so on - but they're not going to read his book anyway.
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