How the mind works with Steven Pinker
(eVideo)

eVideo

English

Title from title frames.

Originally produced by Into the Classroom Media in 2002.

How the mind works alters completely the way one thinks about thinking. New York Times first, Steven Pinker illuminated the human language Instinct with unprecedented wit and wisdom. Now, he takes your students on an intellectual journey to the core of How the mind works. In this exclusive presentation for the classroom, Pinker presents his definitive treatise on what the mind is, how it evolved, and how it allows us to see, think, and feel. With three key ideas -- computation, evolution, and specialization -- Pinker unlocks the mysteries of the human brain through reverse engineering. From how the computational theory of mind defines intelligence and accounts for behaviour, to how we have evolved intuitive theories about biology, physics, and psychology, Pinker paints a radical new picture of why we do what we do, think what we think, and feel what we feel. Why is the thought of eating worms disgusting? Why do people believe in ghosts and spirits? How do we see? Why is a face with make-up more attractive? Why do we crave junk food? Why do fools fall in love? As entertaining as he is provocative, Steven Pinker draws on everything from movie dialogue and science fiction, to optical illusions, religion, and the mathematical theory of games. On that canvas, he paints a sweeping synthesis of cognitive science and evolutionary biology, with insights ranging from neuroscience to economics to social psychology. This extraordinary and challenging presentation will inspire your students to discuss, debate, and rethink the nature of How the mind works.

Mode of access: World Wide Web.