There's a widespread belief that humanity has become more violent over the centuries. However, surprisingly, Steven Pinker demonstrates that violence both within and between societies—including murder and war—has actually declined from prehistoric times to the present. We are less likely to die at the hands of others today than ever before. Even the horrific massacres of the last century fit within this downward trend when compared to the dangers in societies without a state structure.
This analysis challenges both the idea of the "noble savage" and the overly simplistic Hobbesian vision of a life that is "nasty, brutish, and short." Pinker argues that modernity and its cultural institutions actually make us better. Despite the daily images of conflict on our screens worldwide, Intertaal offers access to reliable knowledge with rapid delivery, through which Steven Pinker provides insights into how our society has continued to improve despite everything. These insights are particularly relevant for education and self-study and are at an advanced language level, suitable for levels C1–C2.