The Flaws of Empirical Evidence: A Critical Review of Steven Pinker 's The Better Angles of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined Canadian psychologist, Steven Pinker, wrote The Better Angles of Our Nature: Why Violence has Declined in order to explore trends in peace and violence throughout history. Pinker’s main argument declares that violence has declined for a variety of reasons. In the fifth and sixth chapters titled “The New Peace” and “The Long Peace,” Pinker continues to argue that society has been in a largely peaceful trend and that society is currently witnessing the most peaceful era in its history. Pinker uses a wide variety of empirical evidence to convince the reader of his argument. However, his use of one-dimensional, unreliable and obscure empirical data fails to effectively prove his main assertion that violence is declining.
Pinker attempts to supply the reader with evidence to support his position, which states that violence is in a downward trend, and that overall, society is …show more content…
Although I do not agree with Pinker’s argument, he raises points that can be shown to be of some merit. He does provide some evidence that wars and war-related conflicts are on the decline; however, he mistakenly associates this with the overarching statement that subsequently violence is decreasing. Pinker’s argument also relies to heavily on empirical data, which is unsuccessful at supporting his argument, as it is unreliable, one-dimensional and mathematically inaccessible to his intended audience. Nevertheless, Pinker’s novel provides thought-provoking evidence to show that it is entirely possible that society is making strides to become more peaceful through the shown decrease in war, terrorism and their various dimensions; strides which should continue, and extend to other aspects of
Pinker attempts to supply the reader with evidence to support his position, which states that violence is in a downward trend, and that overall, society is …show more content…
Although I do not agree with Pinker’s argument, he raises points that can be shown to be of some merit. He does provide some evidence that wars and war-related conflicts are on the decline; however, he mistakenly associates this with the overarching statement that subsequently violence is decreasing. Pinker’s argument also relies to heavily on empirical data, which is unsuccessful at supporting his argument, as it is unreliable, one-dimensional and mathematically inaccessible to his intended audience. Nevertheless, Pinker’s novel provides thought-provoking evidence to show that it is entirely possible that society is making strides to become more peaceful through the shown decrease in war, terrorism and their various dimensions; strides which should continue, and extend to other aspects of