Steven A. Pinker
Steven A. Pinker is the Johnstone Family Professor of Psychology.
Latest Articles
Reflections on Half a Century of Progress
For all the crises and doomers and existential threats that may darken graduation day, it’s good to recall that past graduation days were darkened by crises that were as bad or worse. Still, those graduates saw their way through to a better world.
To the Editor: Two Free Speech Principles in Tension
Faculty and students have the right to express their opinions. They don’t have the right to give the impression their opinions are endorsed by Harvard University.
From CAFH Leadership: Harvard Must Not Submit to a Hostile Takeover
The government has a legitimate interest in protecting students from harassment and discrimination, but not in micromanaging the internal operation of the University, and certainly not in micromanaging what its members think.
From CAFH Leadership: Harvard's Settlements Are No Threat to Academic Freedom — Yet
Errors and biases should be exposed by vigorous criticism from members of the Harvard community, not stipulated by University policy.
From the Leadership of CAFH: Don’t Punish Faculty Speech
We strongly reject Dean Bobo’s arguments as clear infringements on academic freedom.
Harvard Admissions Should Be More Meritocratic
In the end, our admissions policies reflect what we think Harvard should be.
Academic Freedom Prohibits Censorship and Punishment, Not Judgment
The principle of academic freedom gives all members of our community the right to express their opinions without censorship, intimidation, or punishment. It also gives other members of the community the right to rebut those opinions and to draw inferences about the judgment of those expressing them.