To arrive at the edge of the world's knowledge, seek out the most complex and sophisticated minds, put them in a room together, and have them ask each other the questions they are asking themselves.
Published on Edge.org (http://www.edge.org)

Home > Language and Human Nature
A talk by Steven Pinker [9.30.09]
Topic:
MIND

http://www.edge.org/events/darwin-in-chileLanguage is an adaptation to the "cognitive niche". It facilitates exchange of information, negotiating of cooperation. But indirect speech (polite requests, veiled threats & bribes, sexual overtures) are a puzzle for the theory that language is an adaptation for efficient communication. Language is an adaptation to the "cognitive niche". ...

Language and Human Nature [1]

STEVEN PINKER is a Harvard College Professor and Johnstone Family Professor of Psychology, Harvard University; Author, The Stuff of Thought.

BACK TO EVENT PAGE: DARWIN IN CHILE [2]

Links:
[1] http://www.edge.org/conversation/language-and-human-nature
[2] http://www.edge.org/events/darwin-in-chile