Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress by Steven Pinker

Steven Pinker's book "Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress" looks at the progress of humanity since the Enlightenment, the cultural and scientific revolution that began in the 18th century. Pinker makes a compelling case that the current age of reason, science, humanism and progress is an unprecedented success story that has improved the lives of billions of people.

The book is divided into three parts which focus on the Enlightenment, which Pinker describes as an "epidemic of reason; the modern world, with its increasing affluence, rights, and life expectancy; and our sense of hope for the future, the idea that if we seize the possibilities of the coming decades, an even greater age of human flourishing lies ahead. In the first part, Pinker looks into the beliefs that define the Enlightenment and how these ideas have led to the vastly more egalitarian and prosperous world that we now enjoy. Using graphs, charts, and photographs, Pinker argues that empirical evidence refutes the idea that progress is an "illusion or conspiracy." Instead, data shows a clear pattern of development across the board, from economic growth to life expectancy to human rights.

In the second part, Pinker argues that advances in science, technology, and humanistic thought have been the major forces behind this progress. He examines the dramatic increases in scientific knowledge, the advances in automation and manufacturing, and the cultural and legal recognition of civil and human rights. He also looks at the advances in institutional knowledge, the trend towards global interoperability, and the rise of information technology. By looking at this evidence, he argues that we now live in an Age of Enlightenment, where reason, science, and humanistic values have produced unprecedented levels of global development and freedom.

The final part looks at the key ideas and values of the Enlightenment and how they can help shape a more optimistic future for humanity. Pinker argues that we must embrace and uphold the core values of reason, science, humanism, and progress in order to continue experiencing the current, unprecedented period of unprecedented success. He traces the influence of these values in modern-day politics, culture, and economics and considers the implications of contemporary breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, robotics, and other areas of research.

On the whole, Pinker makes an airtight argument that the Enlightenment values of reason, science, humanism, and progress have been an unbridled success, leading to massive improvements in human life and allowing for a much more prosperous, free, and equal future for all of humanity. He presents a strong case for why we should continue embracing and upholding these values moving forward - articulate, awe-inspiring, downright emboldening; by the end of this book, it's hard not to feel inspired by the power that a collection of original ideas and values can have on improving our world. If you're looking for an informed, exciting read on why we should be overtly optimistic about the future, Enlightenment Now is an excellent book worth your time and attention.