Short Book Review: The Blank Slate by Steven Pinker

Sub-titled "The Modern Denial of Human Nature", this book deals with evolutionary psychology and the controversy it creates. The author starts with a history of the "Nature vs. Nurture" debate, starting from Hobbes and Rousseau, and ending up at modern feminism. He explores the growing scientific consensus the Nature is dominant and the fierce opposition this had caused on both the left and right.

Much of this book deals with the politics surrounding evolutionary psychology. Pinker does discuss some of the aspects and implications of genetically dominated behavior, which is the most interesting part of the book. The history of the debate and the current politics surrounding it is also interesting and well done, but for deep insight into how genetics affect behavior, "The Moral Animal" by Robert Wright is the better choice.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

P.S. For you parents out there, the book makes clear that between their peer group and genetics, you have essentially no input into how your kids turn out, so you might as well quit trying.

P.P.S. A couple days after a certain Filipino friend mentioned that he was worried about his young son playing with dolls, I read a brief passage in the book where the author mentions that taking dolls away from your son has no impact on whether or not he turns out gay. Then Pinker lowers the boom in a casual aside mentioning that there are studies that show boys who play with dolls are more likely to turn out gay. I didn't have the heart to tell my friend.