Steven Pinker says, the invention of printing and the…
“Steven Pinker says, the invention of printing and the widespread appearance of fiction - this taught empathy. If you read a novel, you're in someone else's head, in three, five different people's heads. Suddenly, the principle of "Don't do anything to anyone that you wouldn't want done to you" becomes real in people's minds. That's a fantastic achievement if fiction is indeed partly responsible for it. That's a great thing to be a part of. In the end, then, I don't know if writers have legislated, but they have civilized.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Fiction allows readers to experience diverse perspectives, fostering empathy and moral imagination.
In simple terms: Reading novels builds empathy by placing you in others' minds.
Key Takeaway
Read diverse stories to expand empathy.
Themes
empathy
literature
morality
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- education
- therapy
- community building
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
psychology
social cognition
narrative theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How does reading fiction change your view of others?
- Can empathy be taught without stories?
A Different Perspective
Empathy also depends on personal willingness to engage with characters.