世界在变坏？

常听到世风日下的怨言，那世界究竟是在变好还是在变坏？

Steven Pinker 的新作 巜Enlightenment Now》给出了答案。先摘几个我喜欢的片段：

Ethical values are derived from human need and interest as tested by experience. 赞成这个想法的话就不用介意是否应该延续传统文化和习俗。需求和利益这两个因素有变的话，习俗就得变。

There is one realm of accomplishment of which we can unabashedly boast before any tribunal of minds, that is science.... We can explain much about the history of the universe, the force that make it tick, the stuff we're made of, the origin of living things, and the machinery of life, including our mental life. 人类作为一个物种最值得骄傲的成就是科学。

We believe it because we have reasons to believe it. 这说的是概念的可验证性。作为普通人，你是愿意跟从严谨求证、讲求道理的科学家，还是愿意听从一走上来就说你信我就好的宗教门派？

We are born into a pitiless universe, facing steep odds against life-enabling order and in constant jeopardy of falling apart. We are shaped by a force that is ruthlessly competive. We are made from crooked timber, vulnerable to illusions, self-centrednests, and at times astounding stupidity. 有点类似老子的“天地不仁、以万物为刍狗＂，意思不尽相同，特别是描述人类缺点的部分。

书中精采的语句太多，最牛的是他用75个图表来显示全球人民生活、健康、财富、安全、和平、知识和幸福都在上升，这个上升并非因为什么星际力量或神秘动力，而是人类积聚的知识促进了人类的繁荣。

有兴趣的快去看吧！