The Decline of Violence | Steven Pinker

TL;DR

Violence, cruelty, and injustice have been decreasing over time, with the modern era being the most peaceful in human history.

Transcript

good evening I'm Stuart brand from long now foundation I think Steven Pinker's written the most important book in many years that's why he's here tonight and there's a long now aspect to it which is that many people get the sort of gist of the book which is that violence cruelty and injustice have been going down for quite a while and the first res... Read More

Key Insights

• ⌛ Violence, cruelty, and injustice have been decreasing over time.
• 🫸 Factors such as the rise of states, the consolidation of central governments, the expansion of commerce, the decline of brutal punishments, the abolition of slavery, and the push for human rights have contributed to the decline of violence.
• 🖐️ Access to information and the expansion of literacy have also played a role in reducing violence.

Questions & Answers

Q: What evidence supports the claim that violence has been decreasing over time?

Forensic archaeology and ethnographic vital statistics provide evidence of lower rates of violence in prehistoric and non-state societies compared to modern state societies. Historical criminologists have also plotted the decline in homicide rates in Europe over the past 800 years.

Q: What are some factors that have contributed to the decline of violence?

Factors such as the rise of states, the consolidation of central governments, the growth of commerce and trade, the decline of brutal punishments, the abolition of slavery, and the push for human rights have all contributed to the decline of violence.

Q: How has the expansion of literacy and access to information affected violence?

The expansion of literacy and the availability of information, including through technologies like the internet, have contributed to the decline of violence. This has allowed for the spread of ideas, the expansion of empathy, and the promotion of cosmopolitanism, all of which have helped reduce violence.

Q: What is the role of religion in the decline of violence?

Religion has both been a cause and an effect of the decline of violence. While militant religions have resulted in violence in the past, religions themselves have changed over time and have aligned with more peaceful values. However, the intersection between religion and violence is complex and depends on various factors.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Violence, cruelty, and injustice have been decreasing over time, with the modern era being the most peaceful in human history.

• The decline of violence can be seen in various scales, from millennia to years, and in different aspects such as wars, genocides, and treatment of children and animals.

• Factors such as the rise of states, the pacification process, the civilizing process, the humanitarian revolution, rights revolutions, and the expanding circle of empathy have contributed to the decline of violence.