Steven Pinker is a cognitive psychologist and linguist, and one of the leading voices in the study of human nature. A professor at Harvard University, Pinker’s research spans areas such as language development and human cognition. He is best known for his data-driven optimism about human progress, arguing in books like The Better Angels of Our Nature and Enlightenment Now that violence has declined and global prosperity has increased thanks to advancements in knowledge and governance. Pinker’s work is celebrated for its combination of rigorous research and an accessible writing style.