How the Mind Works
by Steven Pinker
How the Mind Works by Steven Pinker holds a well received rating of 3.97 out of 5, based on 13.5K reader ratings. First published in 1997. The book spans 660 pages.
About How the Mind Works
In this extraordinary bestseller, Steven Pinker, one of the world's leading cognitive scientists, does for the rest of the mind what he did for language in his 1994 book, The Language Instinct. He explains what the mind is, how it evolved, and how it allows us to see, think, feel, laugh, interact, enjoy the arts, and ponder the mysteries of life. And he does it with the wit that prompted Mark Ridley to write in the New York Times Book Review, "No other science writer makes me laugh so much. . . . [Pinker] deserves the superlatives that are lavished on him." The arguments in the book are as bold as its title. Pinker rehabilitates some unfashionable ideas, such as that the mind is a computer and that human nature was shaped by natural selection, and challenges fashionable ones, such as that passionate emotions are irrational, that parents socialize their children, and that nature is good and modern society corrupting. Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize A New York Times Notable Book of the Year and Publishers Weekly Best Book of 1997 Featured in Time magazine, the New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, Nature, Science, Lingua Franca, and Science Times Front-page reviews in the Washington Post Book World, the Boston Globe Book Section, and the San Diego Union Book Review
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Steven Pinker |
| Published | 1997 |
| Pages | 660 |
| Kindle Price | $10.07 |
| Genres | Psychology, Science, Non-Fiction, Philosophy |
| Average Rating | 3.97 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 13,516 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is How the Mind Works?
How the Mind Works is categorized as Psychology, Science, Non-Fiction, Philosophy. Its primary genre classification is Philosophy.
Is How the Mind Works worth reading?
Based on 13.5K reader ratings, How the Mind Works has an average score of 3.97 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is How the Mind Works?
How the Mind Works has 660 pages. It is a longer read suited for dedicated readers.
Who wrote How the Mind Works?
How the Mind Works was written by Steven Pinker. It was first published in 1997.
What is the ISBN for How the Mind Works?
The ISBN-13 for How the Mind Works is 9780393318490.0.
How much does How the Mind Works cost on Kindle?
How the Mind Works is available on Kindle for $10.07. Pricing may vary by region and promotional offers.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
