世界在變壞？

常聽到世風日下的怨言，那世界究竟是在變好還是在變壞？

Steven Pinker 的新作 巜Enlightenment Now》給出了答案。先摘幾個我喜歡的片段：

Ethical values are derived from human need and interest as tested by experience. 讚成這個想法的話就不用介意是否應該延續傳統文化和習俗。需求和利益這兩個因素有變的話，習俗就得變。

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. 人類作為一個物種最值得驕傲的成就是科學。

We believe it because we have reasons to believe it. 這說的是概念的可驗證性。作為普通人，你是願意跟從嚴謹求證、講求道理的科學家，還是願意聽從一走上來就說你信我就好的宗教門派？

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. 有點類似老子的“天地不仁、以萬物為芻狗＂，意思不盡相同，特別是描述人類缺點的部分。

書中精采的語句太多，最牛的是他用75個圖表來顯示全球人民生活、健康、財富、安全、和平、知識和幸福都在上升，這個上升並非因為什麽星際力量或神秘動力，而是人類積聚的知識促進了人類的繁榮。

有興趣的快去看吧！