The Stuff of Thought by Steven Pinker, Paperback, 9780141015477 | Buy online at The Nile
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The Stuff of Thought

Language as a Window into Human Nature

Author: Steven Pinker  

Paperback

The Stuff of Thought is THE book of Steven Pinker's career

Why do so many swear words involve topics like sex, bodily functions or the divine? Why do some children's names thrive while others fall out of favour? Why do we threaten and bribe and seduce in such elaborate, often comical ways? This title looks at how the relationship between words and thoughts can help us understand who we are.

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PRODUCT INFORMATION

Summary

The Stuff of Thought is THE book of Steven Pinker's career

Why do so many swear words involve topics like sex, bodily functions or the divine? Why do some children's names thrive while others fall out of favour? Why do we threaten and bribe and seduce in such elaborate, often comical ways? This title looks at how the relationship between words and thoughts can help us understand who we are.

Read more

Description

The Stuff of Thought is THE book of Steven Pinker's careerThe Stuff of Thought is an exhilarating work of non-fiction. Surprising, thought-provoking and incredibly enjoyable, there is no other book like it - Steven Pinker will revolutionise the way you think about language. He analyses what words actually mean and how we use them, and he reveals what this can tell us about ourselves. He shows how we use space and motion as metaphors for more abstract ideas, and uncovers the deeper structures of human thought that have been shaped by evolutionary history. He also explores the emotional impact of language, from names to swear words, and shows us the full power that it can have over us. And, with this book, he also shows just how stimulating and entertaining language can be.

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Critic Reviews

“'Astonishingly readable' Daily Telegraph ”

Astonishingly readable Daily Telegraph Perceptive, amusing and intelligent Times No one writes about language as clearly as Steven Pinker, and this is his best book yet Financial Times Immensely readable and stimulating. Pinker is a master at making complex ideas palatable Independent Awesome ... Pinker writes lucidly and elegantly, and leavens the text with scores of perfectly judged anecdotes, jokes, cartoons and illustrations Daily Mail

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About the Author

Steven Pinker is one of the world's most influential thinkers and writers on the human condition. His popular and highly praised books include The Better Angels of Our Nature, The Sense of Style, The Stuff of Thought, The Blank Slate, How the Mind Works, and The Language Instinct. The recipient of several major awards for his teaching, books, and scientific research, Pinker is Harvard College Professor and Johnstone Family Professor of Psychology at Harvard University. He also writes frequently for The New York Times, the Guardian and other publications. He has been named Humanist of the Year, Prospect magazine's "The World's Top 100 Public Intellectuals," Foreign Policy's "100 Global Thinkers," and Time magazine's "The 100 Most Influential People in the World Today."

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Product Details

Publisher
Penguin Books Ltd
Published
5th June 2008
Edition
1st
Pages
512
ISBN
9780141015477

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