Discover books similar to "The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature"

Richard Dawkins

The Selfish Gene

In 'The Selfish Gene', Dawkins builds on the work of evolutionary biologists before him to present a new perspective on the process of natural selection. He argues that it is not the organism, but the gene, that is the fundamental unit of selection. This book is a great choice for readers of 'The Blank Slate' as it further explores the role of human nature in evolution, and how our genes shape our behavior and interactions with others.

Steven Pinker

How the Mind Works

In this book, Pinker delves into the inner workings of the human mind, exploring topics such as perception, language, and consciousness. He argues that the mind is not a blank slate, but rather a complex machine that is shaped by both our genes and our experiences. This book is a natural choice for readers of 'The Blank Slate', as it builds on many of the same themes and ideas, and provides a deeper understanding of the human mind.

Stephen Jay Gould

The Mismeasure of Man

In 'The Mismeasure of Man', Gould critiques the idea that intelligence can be measured by a single number, such as an IQ score. He argues that intelligence is a complex trait that is shaped by both genetic and environmental factors. This book is a good choice for readers of 'The Blank Slate' as it challenges many of the assumptions about human nature and intelligence that Pinker critiques in his book.

Richard Dawkins

The Blind Watchmaker

In this book, Dawkins argues that the complexity and diversity of life on Earth can be explained by the process of natural selection. He uses a variety of examples to illustrate how small, random changes in organisms can accumulate over time to produce new species. This book is a good choice for readers of 'The Blank Slate' as it provides a detailed explanation of evolution, and how it shapes the natural world.

Tom Wolfe

The Right Stuff

This book tells the story of the early days of the U.S. space program, and the test pilots who were selected to become astronauts. Wolfe explores the psychological and physical challenges that these men faced, and how they were able to overcome them. This book is a good choice for readers of 'The Blank Slate' as it provides a fascinating look at human nature, and how people respond to extreme situations.

Robert Kanigel

The Man Who Knew Infinity

This book tells the story of the Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, who made groundbreaking contributions to the field of mathematics despite having little formal education. Kanigel explores Ramanujan's unique genius, and how his upbringing and cultural background influenced his work. This book is a good choice for readers of 'The Blank Slate' as it highlights the role of innate ability and cultural influences in shaping human behavior and achievement.

Siddhartha Mukherjee

The Gene: An Intimate History

This book tells the story of the gene, from its discovery in the 19th century to the present day. Mukherjee explores the role of genes in shaping our lives, and how our understanding of genetics has been shaped by both scientific discovery and cultural attitudes. This book is a good choice for readers of 'The Blank Slate' as it provides a detailed overview of the science of genetics, and how it relates to human nature and behavior.

Rebecca Skloot

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

This book tells the story of Henrietta Lacks, a poor black tobacco farmer whose cancer cells were taken without her knowledge or consent in the 1950s. These cells, known as HeLa, became one of the most important tools in modern medicine, leading to numerous scientific breakthroughs. Skloot explores the ethical and social issues surrounding medical research, and how our understanding of human biology has been shaped by both scientific discovery and cultural attitudes. This book is a good choice for readers of 'The Blank Slate' as it highlights the role of genetics in shaping our lives, and the ethical and social issues surrounding our understanding of human nature and behavior.

Siddhartha Mukherjee

The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer

This book tells the story of cancer, from its earliest recorded cases in ancient Egypt to the present day. Mukherjee explores the biology of cancer, and how our understanding of the disease has been shaped by both scientific discovery and cultural attitudes. This book is a good choice for readers of 'The Blank Slate' as it highlights the role of genetics in shaping our lives, and the ethical and social issues surrounding our understanding of human nature and behavior.