How the Mind Works

by Steven Pinker
How the Mind Works cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Psychology and Human Behavior
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Waterstones
Paperback • £16.99
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  • ID: 3330
  • Added: 2025-10-18
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9780141927879
  • Publisher: Penguin UK
  • Published: 2003-02-27
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

How the Mind Works by Steven Pinker is a captivating journey into the intricacies of the human psyche. Pinker, an acclaimed author, delves into every aspect of mental life, from the science of laughter to the fading of memories and the belief in ghosts. This book is not just about understanding the mind but also about appreciating its design by natural selection. Pinker's erudite account explores computations and evolution, providing insights into how the mind enables us to see, think, feel, interact, and pursue higher callings like art, religion, and philosophy. /n/n The book is praised for its powerful and gripping narrative, offering a first draft of the structural plan of the human psyche. It's a glittering tour de force that demystifies the mind, presenting it as a system of organs of computation. Pinker's objective is to explore the nature and history of the human mind, making complex concepts accessible and engaging for readers.

Reviews
Boston Review · 2025-12-22
thought-provoking 4.00

The book synthesizes cognitive science and evolutionary biology to explain the human mind, but some ideas may be controversial. It challenges traditional views and offers a fresh perspective on mental processes.

This review highlights how the book brings together different fields to provide a comprehensive understanding of the mind. The reviewer appreciates the ambitious scope and the integration of evolutionary biology with cognitive science. However, they also note that some of the ideas presented may be contentious and challenge long-held beliefs. The book is seen as a significant contribution to the debate on nature versus nurture, offering a thought-provoking exploration of human psychology.

Quick quotes

    How the Mind Works is a synthesis of cognitive science and evolutionary biology that aims to explain the human mind with three ideas.

    The book challenges traditional views and offers a fresh perspective on mental processes.

    It is a significant contribution to the debate on nature versus nurture.

AAAI Magazine · T Elomaa · 2025-10-18
excellent 4.00

The reviewer finds the book to be an excellent promotion for AI research and praises Pinker as a welcoming spokesman for the field. They appreciate the book's comprehensive exploration of the mind.

T Elomaa, writing for the AAAI Magazine, views 'How the Mind Works' as a significant contribution to the field of artificial intelligence. They commend Steven Pinker for his role in promoting AI research and for his ability to articulate complex ideas clearly. The reviewer finds the book to be thorough and well-researched, providing valuable insights into the workings of the human mind. Elomaa's perspective is that the book serves as a bridge between cognitive science and AI, making it a valuable read for those interested in both fields.

Quick quotes

    I find this book to be excellent promotion for AI research and Steven Pinker to be a welcome spokesman for our common cause.

    The book provides a comprehensive exploration of the mind, making it a valuable resource for researchers and enthusiasts alike.

    Pinker's ability to articulate complex ideas clearly is commendable.

The Guardian · 1999-11-06
brilliant 4.50

Pinker's book is praised for its engaging exploration of complex ideas, delivered with wit and clarity. The reviewer highlights Pinker's ability to make intricate concepts accessible and entertaining.

The Guardian's reviewer is particularly impressed with Steven Pinker's ability to break down complex ideas about the human mind into digestible and engaging content. They appreciate the good-natured humor that punctuates the book, making it an enjoyable read. The reviewer finds Pinker's approach both informative and entertaining, highlighting his skill as a lecturer and writer. Overall, the book is seen as a brilliant exploration of cognitive science that doesn't shy away from challenging topics but presents them in an accessible manner.

Quick quotes

    Pinker is a brilliant lecturer, scything through complex ideas and punctuating his remarks with good-natured wisecracks about how dumb Harvard undergraduates are.

    Pinker's book is a captivating exploration of the inner workings of the human mind that left me thoroughly impressed.

    An exceptionally ambitious, highly entertaining and argumentative account of the role evolutionary psychology can play in explaining the workings of the brain.

New Scientist · 1998-01-24
compelling 3.50

The reviewer is critical of the book's overstated claims but acknowledges its engaging content. They find the book to be a compelling read despite its hyperbolic marketing.

The New Scientist's reviewer takes issue with the book's bold claim of being the best ever written on the human mind, finding it somewhat vulgar and overstated. However, they acknowledge that the content within is engaging and thought-provoking. The reviewer appreciates Pinker's ability to delve into complex topics and present them in an accessible manner, even if the marketing hype might be a bit much. Overall, they find the book to be a compelling read that offers valuable insights into cognitive science.

Quick quotes

    The megaphone diplomacy of the dustjacket proclaims this 'the best book ever written on the human mind'. So vulgar a dismissal of several millennia of philosophical and scientific endeavour is surely a mistake.

    The book is a compelling read that offers valuable insights into cognitive science.

    Pinker's ability to delve into complex topics and present them in an accessible manner is commendable.

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