Two cognitive science books by Steven Pinker and Henry Plotkin present a rationalist view of the mind as a computational, modular system shaped by evolution, departing from traditional empiricism. While the author acknowledges this New Rationalism as superior to empiricism, he argues their version is flawed and their optimism about progress is unwarranted.
Steven Pinker declines Scott Alexander's invitation to a formal debate on AI existential risk, arguing that such spectacles are epistemically inferior to rigorous discourse. Pinker reaffirms his respect for Alexander while defending his critique of doomsday AI scenarios as logically flawed, emphasizing that criticizing ideas should not be confused with attacking persons.