The Better Angels of Our Nature
An exploration of why human violence has decreased over centuries.
Summary of 7 Key Points
Key Points
- The decline of violence across human history
- The civilizing process within societies
- The humanitarian revolution and its impact
- The long peace following World War II
- Rights revolutions expanding empathy
- The role of reason in reducing violence
- Challenges to the thesis of declining violence
key point 1 of 7
The decline of violence across human history
Steven Pinker, in his detailed analysis, presents the idea that violence has declined over the course of history due to various social, political, and intellectual developments. Pinker begins by examining prehistoric violence based on archaeological findings and ethnographic studies of hunter-gatherer societies. He argues that the evidence suggests that violence was much more common in the ancestral environment, as indicated by the proportion of skeletons with signs of violent injuries and the casualty rates from conflict in non-state societies…Read&Listen More
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The civilizing process within societies
The civilizing process within societies is a key concept discussed in the book. This process refers to the long-term historical trend in which the formation of states with central governments leads to a decrease in the rates of violence and brutality. As states begin to exert control, they monopolize the use of force and establish judicial systems, which suppresses the local, personal vendettas and the lawlessness that used to be commonplace in stateless societies. This results in the establishment of a social contract where citizens give up some of their freedoms in exchange for security and order…Read&Listen More
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The humanitarian revolution and its impact
The humanitarian revolution is a concept discussed extensively, referring to the period marked by a decline in violence and cruelty and a rise in humane treatment of individuals. This revolution is often attributed to the rise of literacy, the spread of books and the subsequent enlightenment that allowed individuals to adopt the perspectives of others, fostering empathy and understanding. As people began to consume literature that presented life from another’s point of view, they could extend their empathy beyond their immediate social circle, which in turn promoted more humanitarian values…Read&Listen More
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The long peace following World War II
The period following World War II has been termed the ‘Long Peace,’ a concept Steven Pinker explores extensively, arguing that since the end of the second World War, there has been a remarkable and historically significant decline in interstate wars, particularly among the great powers of the time. Pinker anchors this phenomenon in the context of the overall decline of violence in human history, providing statistical evidence and a range of possible explanations for why this significant change has occurred…Read&Listen More
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Rights revolutions expanding empathy
Steven Pinker in his examination of violence in history discusses the ‘Rights Revolutions,’ the wave of movements that have, over recent centuries, expanded the circle of empathy, leading to a decrease in various forms of violence. He outlines how, starting in the late 20th century, various social groups that had been marginalized or discriminated against—such as ethnic and racial minorities, women, children, homosexuals, and animals—began to be recognized as entities deserving of rights and moral consideration…Read&Listen More
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The role of reason in reducing violence
In ‘The Better Angels of Our Nature’, the role of reason is highlighted as a crucial factor in the historical decline of violence. The author posits that the spread of rational thinking has allowed humanity to increasingly solve problems through negotiation and dialogue rather than through force. Reason is seen as a tool that enables individuals to step back from their immediate personal perspective and consider the broader consequences of their actions, fostering empathy and cooperation. Reason also underpins the development of better moral frameworks that discourage violence…Read&Listen More
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Challenges to the thesis of declining violence
One challenge to the thesis of declining violence is the assertion that the short-term spikes in conflict or violence, such as wars or genocides, may overshadow longer trends of peace. Critics argue that the catastrophic potential of modern warfare, with nuclear and biological weapons, could negate the progress made in reducing violence. They point out that the relative peace of recent decades may be a temporary lull in a cycle of violence that could resurge with devastating effects. This criticism emphasizes the importance of context and the potential for regression, suggesting that the trend toward decreasing violence is not guaranteed to continue indefinitely…Read&Listen More