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The Stuff of Thought
- Language as a Window into Human Nature
- Narrated by: John Chancer
- Length: 21 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Health & Wellness, Psychology & Mental Health
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Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
In The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature, Steven Pinker looks at how the relationship between words and thoughts can help us understand who we are.
Why do so many swear words involve topics like sex, bodily functions, or the divine? Why do some children's names thrive while others fall out of favour? Why do we threaten and bribe and seduce in such elaborate, often comical ways? How can a choice of metaphor damn a politician or start a war? And why do we rarely say what we actually mean?
Language, as Steven Pinker shows, is at the heart of our lives, and through the way we use it - whether to inform, persuade, entertain or manipulate - we can glimpse the very essence of what makes us human.
What listeners say about The Stuff of Thought
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
- Marie Čechová
- 17-11-19
Great for language enthusiasts!
Covers a lot of different topics. Humourous and informative. The argument uncovers very smoothly.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
- Maria F.
- 09-08-20
Basic
Exposition of elementary notions in a super boring narration
Lack of knowledge of Ancient Greek, Latin and Asian languages.
1 person found this helpful