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John Quiggin's avatar

Since you cite Pinker, I'll link to my review of The Blank Slate, which exhibits many of the problems of evolutionary psychology as it is actually practised, most notably what is now known as the motte-and-bailey style of argument, evident in the paragraph you cite. The evidence of utopian communities supports the weak claim that people aren't perfectly unselfish but not the stronger claims Pinker wants to make.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/hzmo3eum2ci9ppr4uebxn/pinker0211-1.pdf?rlkey=fblodmgsspws4lgp2hmxjzkta&dl=0

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Lionel Page's avatar

Thanks John, I’ll read it carefully. Looking forward to catching up soon.

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John Quiggin's avatar

I’ll be in Brisbane next Wednesday and Thursday. Will you be around?

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