Dr. Eliot Grasso will discuss the book Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress by Steven Pinker.
Pinker, a cognitive psychologist, argues that the Enlightenment has succeeded and continues to provide positive value to humanity. Eliot will look at how Pinker uses concepts of reason, science, and progress to justify his claim.
Eliot Grasso is the provost and a tutor at Gutenberg College where he teaches art seminars and leads discussions in Western Civilization and the Great Conversation. Eliot holds a B.A. in music from Goucher College, an M.A. in ethnomusicology from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick, and a Ph.D. in musicology from the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance.