Comments on: Steven Pinker on The Decline of Violence https://www.isegoria.net/2011/11/steven-pinker-on-the-decline-of-violence/ From the ancient Greek for equality in freedom of speech; an eclectic mix of thoughts, large and small Fri, 01 May 2026 09:53:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.6.1 By: Gwern https://www.isegoria.net/2011/11/steven-pinker-on-the-decline-of-violence/comment-page-1/#comment-373614 Gwern Sat, 05 Nov 2011 19:02:05 +0000 http://www.isegoria.net/?p=27125#comment-373614

The decline of violence is concomitant with a decline in real political interest, activity, and assertiveness on the part of citizens and a decline in self-defense.

Which explains things like the Rights Revolution that Pinker covers in great detail (civil rights, gay rights, religious rights, children and womens’ rights, anti-slavery)?

]]> By: J https://www.isegoria.net/2011/11/steven-pinker-on-the-decline-of-violence/comment-page-1/#comment-372414 J Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:25:06 +0000 http://www.isegoria.net/?p=27125#comment-372414 I haven’t read the book, but is it possible that the better angels of our nature are in fact not our virtues but our softness and cowardice?

The decline of violence is concomitant with a decline in real political interest, activity, and assertiveness on the part of citizens and a decline in self-defense. We angels are walking prey to the still very violent members of society, and we take it lying down as our economy is looted, political system co-opted and corrupted, etc.

This is not something to celebrate.

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