Chapter 13: Out of Our Depths From Steven Pinkers The Blank Slate By Liz Beck, Erica Olsen and Joe Legacy

Out of Our Depths Problem: There is a mismatch between our mind and the environment. Problem: There is a mismatch between our mind and the environment. Topics: Topics: Formal education Formal education Genetically modified foods Genetically modified foods Intuitive fallacy Intuitive fallacy

Out of Our Depths Some examples of this mismatch: Some examples of this mismatch: People eat in preparation for a famine that never comes People eat in preparation for a famine that never comes Conceive babies they dont want Conceive babies they dont want People respond to stressors from which they cannot run away from. People respond to stressors from which they cannot run away from.

Out of Our Depths Reason for this mismatch of mind and environment: Reason for this mismatch of mind and environment: - Our mind keeps us in touch with aspects of reality- such as objects, animals, and people- that our ancestors dealt with for millions of years. - Our mind keeps us in touch with aspects of reality- such as objects, animals, and people- that our ancestors dealt with for millions of years. (Pinker, 219) (Pinker, 219) -Evolution has not had a chance to catch up. -Evolution has not had a chance to catch up.

Out of Our Depths Confronting native ways of thinking in formal education: Confronting native ways of thinking in formal education: Twentieth century theories Twentieth century theories - Blank Slate vs. Noble Savage - Blank Slate vs. Noble Savage Alternative theory Alternative theory - Education tries to make up for what the mind is innately bad at. - Education tries to make up for what the mind is innately bad at. - Things like written language, math, and science have been invented too recently for our species evolve a knack for them. - Things like written language, math, and science have been invented too recently for our species evolve a knack for them.

Out of Our Depths Genetically modified foods Genetically modified foods Facts: Facts: Different varieties have been eaten in the U.S with out any harm. Different varieties have been eaten in the U.S with out any harm. A variety named golden rice, could prevent blindness in millions of children. A variety named golden rice, could prevent blindness in millions of children. Research has found no new risk to human health posed by these modified crops. Research has found no new risk to human health posed by these modified crops. Modified foods are no more dangerous than natural foods. Modified foods are no more dangerous than natural foods.

Out of Our Depths Results of the Intuitive fallacy Results of the Intuitive fallacy Denounced relief societies for distributing nutritious modified foods Denounced relief societies for distributing nutritious modified foods Vandalized testing facilities that tested the safety of the modified foods Vandalized testing facilities that tested the safety of the modified foods For many people even the possibility that these food are safe is unacceptable. For many people even the possibility that these food are safe is unacceptable. Could make food more expensive and less available to the poor. Could make food more expensive and less available to the poor.

Out of Our Depths Critical Review: Things we agree with and found interesting. Critical Review: Things we agree with and found interesting. 1. Humans instincts have not evolved to environment, which could explain why we crave so much salty and fatty foods 2. Education should try to teach us what we are inherently bad at. 3. There is nothing wrong with distributing and eating genetically modified foods.

Out of Our Depths Critical Review: Disagreements and things we found unclear. Critical Review: Disagreements and things we found unclear. 1. Why are some people in favor of modified foods and others totally against it? 2. What are some negative events that occurred in the past that could have caused people to be against modified foods? 3. Instead of unlearning intuitive biology, couldnt it in in some way help to learn modern biology? (p.223)

Thank You Any Questions?