This New York Times bestseller is an exciting and fearless investigation of language
Bestselling author Steven Pinker possesses that rare combination of scientific aptitude and verbal eloquence that enables him to provide lucid explanations of deep and powerful ideas. His previous books—including the Pulitzer Prize finalist The Blank Slate—have catapulted him into the limelight as one of today’s most important popular science writers. In The Stuff of Thought, Pinker presents a fascinating look at how our words explain our nature. Considering scientific questions with examples from everyday life, The Stuff of Thought is a brilliantly crafted and highly readable work that will appeal to fans of everything from The Selfish Gene and Blink to Eats, Shoots & Leaves.
The Stuff of ThoughtPreface
1. Words and Worlds
2. Down the Rabbit Hole
3. Fifty Thousand Innate Concepts (and Other Radical Theories of Language and Thought)
4. Cleaving the Air
5. The Metaphor Metaphor
6. What's in a Name?
7. The Seven Words You Can't Say on Television
8. Games People Play
9. Escaping the Cave
Notes
References
Index
“ Engaging and provocative . . . filled with humor and fun.” —Douglas Hofstadter, Los Angeles Times
“ Pinker is not only wonderfully clear; he is also blessedly witty.” —The Boston Globe
