Steven Pinker talking about his new book in which he examines that whole nature vs. nurture debate. I have read part of his Words and Rules and like the way he looks at the mind and development.

One of the best arguments I have heard in favor of nurture being the primary force in development is the simple fact that there are an order of magnitude more neurons than genes which makes it impossible to hardwire very much. However, on the flipside I have heard it described that it isn’t so much that behavior itself is hardwired as certain proclivities and instincts. Either way, this book is now on my list of books to read when I finish with my American History jag.