Steven Pinker

Monday, 7:30 p.m.

$15 students, $30 adults

(412) 622-8866…

Steven Pinker

Monday, 7:30 p.m.

$15 students, $30 adults

(412) 622-8866

Evolutionary psychologists such as Steven Pinker believe many of mankind’s instincts evolve from the Stone Age era.

Habits such as the sweet tooth evolved from our ancestors having to select ripe fruit where food was scarce. Many activities we encounter every day such as language, feeding, mating, and social learning can be found in people who have brain damage, displaying the unconscious evolution of such activity.

Best-selling author of “How the Mind Works” and “The Language Instinct,” Pinker will speak at Carnegie Music Hall Monday evening about his new book, “The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature.”

“The Blank Slate” explores the idea of human nature and its moral, emotional and political dogmas.

In his book, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor continues to address age-old questions about human nature such as: Are people inherently good? Are they social animals? Are they rational, utility-maximizing individuals? Do we have free will? The answers to these questions will reveal how humans think social, political and economic life should be organized.

The author will begin his lecture at 7:30 p.m. Student tickets are $15.