Steven Pinker 2of3: Organs of the mind and mental shortcuts
BackSteven Pinker on the computational theory of mind and evolutionary psychology. Our mental faculties assume a world like that of our ancestors. Pinker describes some of the tricks our minds do, which helped us in the natural world, but can lead to maladaptive behaviour in the modern world.
From a conference in 1998 called Der Digitale Planet (The Digital Planet, I guess), which also included Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Jared Diamond and Douglas Adams. Links follow:
Douglas Adams:
Richard Dawkins:
Daniel Dennett:
Jared Diamond:
Found here (at the bottom):
Direct link to video (real media):
Channel: Science & Technology
Uploaded: February 11, 2008 at 5:19 am
Author: theinquisitor
Length: 00:10:46
Rating: 5.00
Views: 3210
Tags: mind thought evolution evolutionary psychology vision illusions
Video Comments:
crazykb (September 19, 2008 at 11:23 pm)
I love Pinker.
RationalEmotive (August 23, 2008 at 3:00 pm)
Of course Steven Pinker is a very intelligent guy, but he is not one of the best speakers to make complex coherences clear to the layman. I for one found it difficult to follow this talk and he addresses many subjects in a short amount of time.
I will read his book "The Blank Slate" and come back to this.
I will read his book "The Blank Slate" and come back to this.
theinquisitor (August 23, 2008 at 8:56 pm)
His book "How the Mind Works" is also interesting. If you search youtube for "How the Mind Works", you'll find the entire audio book has been uploaded.
va602sw (September 28, 2008 at 1:28 pm)
cool done that thank for the tip
Mjhavok (May 20, 2008 at 7:40 pm)
"The mind is what the brain does." - Steven Pinker.
There is no empirical evidence that human beings have a soul. I agree with theinquisitor.
There is no empirical evidence that human beings have a soul. I agree with theinquisitor.
va602sw (February 14, 2008 at 8:39 am)
it WIERd for me to tink that more people arnt interrest in the area of theory of mind, it is what defines us
paultherolls (February 12, 2008 at 7:14 am)
If there is no continuation after death then we have nothing to fear. Fear of death is like fearing the rain will fall. Death is just a part of life, the last part. We have a lot more responsibility than this as reflected by having a conscience. Doing what is right is always our job. If life were meaningless,we ended permanently at the end, then we would not be responsible. An animal is like this. No folks, we don't get off the hook that easy.
Mjhavok (May 20, 2008 at 7:42 pm)
No one is saying we get off the hook because life has no inherent meaning. Look up reciprocal altruism. You make your own meaning or purpose in life.
memblor (February 12, 2008 at 1:00 am)
sorry paultherolls, you are a biological entity. You don't have a soul. You are flesh and blood.
theinquisitor (February 11, 2008 at 9:29 pm)
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence. I know too well how easily we are swayed by wishful thinking. Fear is a powerful motivator, and sometimes robs us of our rationality. The idea of a soul is obviously generated out of fear of death, not careful and logical analysis of the facts. Why lie to yourself about this, reality will not be bluffed by your wishes.