Steven Pinker: Why Smart People Believe Stupid Things

Subscribe to The Free Press: https://thefp.pub/43SoejB Steven Pinker is a world-renowned cognitive psychologist, and is widely regarded as one of the most important public intellectuals of our time. His work delves into the complexities of cognition, language, and social behavior, and his research offers a window into the fundamental workings of the human mind. Today, we talk to Pinker about why smart people believe stupid things, the psychology of conspiracy theories, free speech and academic freedom, why democracy and enlightenment values are contrary to human nature, the moral panic around AI, and much more.

Stephen Fry & Steven Pinker on the Enlightenment Today
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Stephen Fry & Steven Pinker on the Enlightenment Today

Do We Need God? Steven Pinker vs. Ross Douthat Debate
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Do We Need God? Steven Pinker vs. Ross Douthat Debate

Why Reality Isn't What You Think | Jordan Peterson
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Why Reality Isn't What You Think | Jordan Peterson

Your Phone Is Destroying Your Sense of Meaning | Arthur Brooks [ARC 2026]
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Your Phone Is Destroying Your Sense of Meaning | Arthur Brooks [ARC 2026]

The blueprint for becoming an emotionally mature adult, in 68 minutes | Mark Manson: Full Interview
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The blueprint for becoming an emotionally mature adult, in 68 minutes | Mark Manson: Full Interview

Steven Pinker: Why Heterodoxy Matters in the World
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Steven Pinker: Why Heterodoxy Matters in the World

Trump's America is 'on the way to autocracy' | Professor Steven Pinker on common knowledge
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Trump's America is 'on the way to autocracy' | Professor Steven Pinker on common knowledge

Steven Pinker: AI in the Age of Reason | Lex Fridman Podcast #3
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Steven Pinker: AI in the Age of Reason | Lex Fridman Podcast #3

Steven Pinker on Donald Trump, fascism, the climate and free speech
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Steven Pinker on Donald Trump, fascism, the climate and free speech

This Is What the Start of a Crash Looks Like
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This Is What the Start of a Crash Looks Like

Steven Pinker Meets Richard Dawkins | On Reason and Rationality
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Steven Pinker Meets Richard Dawkins | On Reason and Rationality

Steven Pinker: Human nature and the blank slate
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Steven Pinker: Human nature and the blank slate

Understanding Human Nature with Steven Pinker - Conversations with History
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Understanding Human Nature with Steven Pinker - Conversations with History

Steven Pinker vs John Mearsheimer debate the enlightenment | Part 1 of FULL DEBATE
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Steven Pinker vs John Mearsheimer debate the enlightenment | Part 1 of FULL DEBATE

The Power of Common Knowledge: Steven Pinker on Language, Norms, and Punishment
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The Power of Common Knowledge: Steven Pinker on Language, Norms, and Punishment

What Happens When We All Know? | Brian Greene & Steven Pinker
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What Happens When We All Know? | Brian Greene & Steven Pinker

Can We Still Be Optimistic About the Future? | A Conversation with Steven Pinker
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Can We Still Be Optimistic About the Future? | A Conversation with Steven Pinker

Steven Pinker on Good Writing, with Ian McEwan
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Steven Pinker on Good Writing, with Ian McEwan

Steven Pinker: Language and Consciousness, Part 1 Complete: Thinking Allowed w/ J. Mishlove
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Steven Pinker: Language and Consciousness, Part 1 Complete: Thinking Allowed w/ J. Mishlove

Enlightenment Now... | Steven Pinker | Talks at Google
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Enlightenment Now... | Steven Pinker | Talks at Google

An Evening with Richard Dawkins – Featuring Sam Harris – Night 1
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An Evening with Richard Dawkins – Featuring Sam Harris – Night 1

Linguistics, Style and Writing in the 21st Century - with Steven Pinker
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Linguistics, Style and Writing in the 21st Century - with Steven Pinker

Richard Dawkins and Steven Pinker predict the future of religion!
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Richard Dawkins and Steven Pinker predict the future of religion!

Sex Differences, Human Nature, & Identity Politics (Pt. 1) | Steven Pinker | ACADEMIA | Rubin Report
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Sex Differences, Human Nature, & Identity Politics (Pt. 1) | Steven Pinker | ACADEMIA | Rubin Report

Is Consciousness a Miracle? | Harvard’s Cognitive Scientist Prof. Steven Pinker & Sadhguru
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Is Consciousness a Miracle? | Harvard’s Cognitive Scientist Prof. Steven Pinker & Sadhguru

Steven Pinker: Can Harvard be saved?
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Steven Pinker: Can Harvard be saved?

How Common Knowledge Shapes the World, with Steven Pinker
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How Common Knowledge Shapes the World, with Steven Pinker

Mindscape 329 | Steven Pinker on Rationality and Common Knowledge
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Mindscape 329 | Steven Pinker on Rationality and Common Knowledge