Accepting Quote by Steven Pinker
“In the past two decades anthropologists have gathered data on life and death in pre-state societies rather than accepting the warm and fuzzy stereotypes. What did they find? In a nutshell: Hobbes was right, Rousseau was wrong.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Better Angels of Our Nature, 2011
Anthropology shows that pre‑state societies are often violent and hierarchical, confirming Hobbes’s view of human nature and challenging Rousseau’s optimism.
In simple terms: Pre‑state societies are often and hierarchical.
Key Takeaway
Recognize human nature’s complexity.
Themes
human nature
politics
anthropology
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- policy making
- education
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
human nature
social organization
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence challenges romantic views of early humans?
- How should modern societies address innate conflict?
A Different Perspective
Rousseau’s idealism overlooks conflict.
![“[They] may have for instance taken the view of Edmund Burke, who in the 18th century made the central conservative insight; that a culture and a society are not things run for the convenience of the people who happen to be here right now, but is a deep pact between the dead, the living, and those…” quote by Douglas Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/55e/douglas-murray-12950_civilization_they-may-have-for-instance-taken-the-vie_1240371.jpg)
