Chapter 1: An Instinct to Acquire an Art Summary and Analysis

Chapter 1: An Instinct to Acquire an Art

Pinker begins the book by saying: "As you are reading these words, you are taking part in one of the wonders of the natural world. For you and I belong to a species with a remarkable ability: we can shape events in each other's brains with exquisite precision." Chap. 1, p. 15

Pinker is not speaking about telepathy, mind control, or any other inventions created by fringe science. Pinker refers to language and how it can cause the mind to think about certain things. Pinker uses three examples to prove this point. By using language, people can collectively use their powers to achieve incredible things.

People are so accustomed to using language that when they are alone they talk to themselves, their house pets...