How the Mind Works

Forum on Human Nature

October 20, 1999 (Wednesday) / 3:00 pm—4:30 pm

Room 17 Logan Hall, 249 S. 36th Street, Philadelphia

How the Mind Works

Steven Pinker

Director, Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

How does the mind work? Why do fools fall in love? Why does a man's annual salary, on average, increase $600 with each inch of his height? How do optical illusions function as windows on the human soul? Eminent cognitive scientist Steven Pinker explains what the mind is, how it evolved, and how it allows us to see, think, feel, laugh, interact, enjoy the arts and ponder the mysteries of life -- all the things that make us human.

Reception to follow -- RSVP Required

5:30 - 7:00 pm 

American Philosophical Society 

105 S. 5th Street, Philadelphia

To feature:

  • Steven Pinker and the internationally recognized medical historian Charles Rosenberg in conversation
  • A special exhibit of Darwin's papers

 

Acclaimed best-selling author of:

How The Mind Works and The Language Instinct

Photo of Steven Pinker

Cosponsored by the Penn Humanities Forum, the Lief Lectureship in English, and Institute for Research in Cognitive Science, Professor Pinker's talk is part of the Penn Humanities Forum's year-long exploration on the topic of Human Nature. 

Acclaimed best-selling author of:

How The Mind Works and The Language Instinct