Language, Cognition, and Human Nature
Exploring the connections between language, cognition, and human behavior
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Oxford University Press Inc
Published:29th Oct '15
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This paperback is available in another edition too:
- Hardback£42.99(9780199328741)
This collection showcases Steven Pinker's pivotal essays on language and cognition, emphasizing their significance in understanding human nature and development.
In Language, Cognition, and Human Nature, Steven Pinker presents a comprehensive collection of his most influential scholarly essays on the intricate relationship between language and cognition. As a prominent cognitive scientist, Pinker delves into how language shapes our understanding of the world and influences various aspects of human life, including social interactions, child development, and evolutionary processes. The essays reflect his extensive research and highlight the profound connections between linguistic capabilities and cognitive functions.
This anthology spans Pinker's impressive thirty-year career, featuring thirteen of his classic articles that address a wide range of topics. Readers will encounter discussions on language development in children, mental imagery, and the recognition of shapes, alongside analyses of the computational architecture of the mind. Pinker also tackles significant themes such as the evolution of language, the nature-nurture debate, and the subtleties of language use, including innuendo and euphemism. Each piece not only presents a major theory but also engages with the works of other notable scholars, such as Stephen Jay Gould and Noam Chomsky, fostering a rich dialogue within the field.
The collection is further enhanced by a new introduction from Pinker, where he reflects on his scholarly contributions and the evolution of his ideas over time. Language, Cognition, and Human Nature serves as an essential resource for anyone interested in the intersections of language, cognition, and human behavior, showcasing the vital role that language plays in shaping our thoughts and interactions.
Pinker is a star, and the world of science is lucky to have him." * Richard Dawkins, The Times Literary Supplement, 2002 *
Steven Pinker is among the best synthesizers in the cognitive sciences. He is unique in the breadth of his interests and the depth of his knowledge. To top it off, his elegant and witty writings speak equally to specialists and to literate individuals everywhere." * Howard Gardner, Hobbs Professor of Cognition and Education, Harvard University *
Pinker is an intellectual giant in the field, one of the most important psychologists and thinkers in our day. This compilation is outstanding, a fitting crown on his career so far, although I suspect he has much more to contribute. Even though I'd read a handful of these papers before, there were some that I was unaware of that are gems. Even those I'd read before, I re-read, and got even more on the second reading." * David Buss, author of Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind *
With wit and acumen, Pinker introduces us to some of his most important scientific contributions. These glimpses into the development of these foundational articles and of course the articles themselves will be of great interest to academics and to his many fans beyond the walls of academia." * David C. Geary, author of Male, Female: The Evolution of Human Sex Difference *
Pinker is a rarity among academic psychologists not only as a stylish writer, but also as a profound thinker with an ability to grasp the major issues of human nature and human evolution. Language, Cognition, and Human Nature: Selected Articles is as good an introduction as any into the range and depth of his thinking and will have general appeal beyond an academic readership." -Michael Corballis, PsycCRITIQUES
ISBN: 9780190259280
Dimensions: 231mm x 155mm x 28mm
Weight: 590g
400 pages