Enlightenment Now: A Summary for Busy People

Enlightenment Now is a book by Steven Pinker that argues that the world is getting better, not worse. He uses data to show that life expectancy, literacy, and income are all increasing. He also argues that violence and war are declining. This summary will give you a quick overview of Pinker's main arguments and provide you with some of the data he uses to support them.

Enlightenment Now - Summarized for Busy People: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress: Based on the Book by Steven Pinker

by Goldmine Reads

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6757 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	131 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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Life Expectancy

One of the most important indicators of progress is life expectancy. In 1800, the average life expectancy was just 30 years. Today, it is over 70 years. This increase is due to a number of factors, including improved nutrition, sanitation, and medical care.

Literacy

Another important indicator of progress is literacy. In 1800, only about 10% of the world's population could read and write. Today, that number is over 80%. This increase is due to a number of factors, including the spread of education and the development of new technologies that make it easier to learn.

Income

Income is another important indicator of progress. In 1800, the average person earned less than $1 per day. Today, the average person earns over $100 per day. This increase is due to a number of factors, including the development of new technologies, the spread of free trade, and the growth of the global economy.

Violence

One of the most common arguments against the idea that the world is getting better is that violence is increasing. However, the data shows that violence is actually declining. The number of wars has decreased by over 90% since 1945. The number of homicides has also declined by over 50% since 1990.

War

The number of wars has also declined dramatically over the past two centuries. In 1800, there were over 50 wars per year. Today, there are fewer than 10 wars per year. This decline is due to a number of factors, including the development of new technologies that make war more costly and destructive, the spread of democracy, and the growth of the global economy.

Steven Pinker's book Enlightenment Now is a powerful and persuasive argument that the world is getting better, not worse. He uses data to show that life expectancy, literacy, income, violence, and war are all declining. This is not to say that there is no suffering in the world. But it is to say that the overall trend is positive. We are living in the best time in human history.

Enlightenment Now - Summarized for Busy People: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress: Based on the Book by Steven Pinker

by Goldmine Reads

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6757 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	131 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE