Pinker-Taming the Devil within Us
Introduction
Discussion of Rudolf Mössbauer and γ-ray spectroscopy.
Overview of claims regarding the twentieth century as the bloodiest in history.
Historical Violence Claims
The assertion that the twentieth century was the most violent lacks quantitative backing.
Considerations of how historical records are more complete in modern times lead to perceptions of increased violence.
Past conquests often viewed as noble would now be seen as genocidal.
Death Toll Comparisons
Quantitative attempts suggest that historical violence may rival twentieth-century wars.
Forensic archaeology indicates higher rates of violent deaths in pre-modern societies, between 15% for non-state societies compared to the lower rates of the twentieth century.
The second half of the twentieth century saw unprecedented peace between developed states despite a rise in civil conflicts.
Decline of Violence
Evidence shows drastically reduced homicide rates in Europe from the Middle Ages to the end of the twentieth century (from 40 per 100,000 people to 1.3).
Many barbaric customs have been abolished (e.g., human sacrifice, chattel slavery).
Rights revolutions in the past 50 years have reduced lynching, pogroms, and other forms of violence.
Understanding Human Aggression
Nature of Violence
Violence exists throughout human history, but is not a permanent trait.
Empirical data shows individual violent tendencies are inherited but fluctuate over time and contexts.
Factors Influencing Decline of Violence
Natural selection cannot fully explain the decline in violence due to short time scales for observed changes.
Engagement of human cognitive faculties, referred to as "the better angels of our nature," plays a crucial role.
Role of Empathy
Empathy is key in reducing violence but is inconsistent, depending on kinship, similarity, and group dynamics.
Moral frameworks also drive violent actions; they can foster detrimental interpretations leading to violence (e.g., cultural or religious codifications).
Reason and Morality
The historical evolution of cognitive reasoning contributes significantly to reducing violence.
Reasoning capacities allow societies to foster non-violent resolutions through social contracts.
Cognitive Advances
Humanity has progressed toward greater reasoning capabilities, leading to a more peaceful existence.
Evolutionary improvements have occurred through education and exposure to diverse ideas.
The Flynn Effect
James Flynn identified increases in IQ scores over generations, indicative of improved abstract reasoning.
Increases in IQ reflect better education, access to knowledge and intellectual discourse.
Cultural Shifts
Societal standards of morality have shifted over time, leading to more humane treatment of individuals.
Evidence points to a correlation between enhanced reasoning skills and reduced violent behaviors.
Conclusion
The relationship between reasoning and violence suggests that enhancing cognitive abilities correlates with less violence.
Societal progress in understanding human rights marks a significant evolution in moral standards, reflected in modern discourse.
Acknowledgment of the complexity underlying the relationship between reason and behavior, which calls for nuanced approaches to historical ideologies of violence.