The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature by Steven Pinker
Following HOW THE MIND WORKS, Pinker now asks: what makes a person? Pinker challenges conventional wisdom that our thoughts and feelings seep into our heads from the surrounding culture. This is the assumption behind discussions in dozens of areas, from how to reduce illiteracy and crime to how to lose weight and bring up children. Pinker shows this is all wrong: we are not blank slates, but are born with our characteristics in place: as species, gender and individual. Human nature cannot be denied.