Steven Pinker joins us for a thought-provoking, members-only discussion on how sectarian solidarity and our pursuit of self-interest has led to the demise of objectivity, truth, and collective rationality. 

QUOTES:

STEVEN PINKER

“The most pervasive and robust cognitive bias is the one in which people steer their reasoning toward a conclusion that is one of the sacred values of their own tribe.”

The host of the Munk Debates is Rudyard Griffiths - @rudyardg.  

Tweet your comments about this episode to @munkdebate or comment on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/munkdebates/

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Members receive access to our 10+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, newsletter and ticketing privileges at our live events.

This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/

Executive Producer: Rudyard Griffiths

Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz

Editor: Reza Dahya

Steven Pinker joins us for a thought-provoking, members-only discussion on how sectarian solidarity and our pursuit of self-interest has led to the demise of objectivity, truth, and collective rationality.&nbsp;
QUOTES:
STEVEN PINKER
&ldquo;The most pervasive and robust cognitive bias is the one in which people steer their reasoning toward a conclusion that is one of the sacred values of their own tribe.&rdquo;
The host of the Munk Debates is Rudyard Griffiths -&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/rudyardg">@rudyardg</a>. &nbsp;
Tweet your comments about this episode to&nbsp;<a href="about:blank">@munkdebate</a>&nbsp;or comment on our Facebook page&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/munkdebates/">https://www.facebook.com/munkdebates/</a>
To sign up for a weekly email reminder for this podcast, send an email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:podcast@munkdebates.com">podcast@munkdebates.com</a>. &nbsp;
To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at&nbsp;<a href="https://munkdebates.com/membership">https://munkdebates.com/membership</a>
Members receive access to our 10+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, newsletter and ticketing privileges at our live events.
This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - <a href="https://munkdebates.com/">https://munkdebates.com/</a>
Executive Producer: Rudyard Griffiths
Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz
Editor: Reza Dahya

The Munk Debates podcast is an extension of the main stage events - in subject, speaker selection, tone and format. It will introduce the iconic brand - and its engaging debates about significant issues of our time. Audiences will hear strong and passionate arguments from both sides of an issue so they will have enough information to make up their own minds about where they stand.

The Munk Debates podcast is an extension of the main stage events - in subject, speaker selection, tone and format. It will introduce the iconic brand - and its engaging debates about significant issues of our time. Audiences will hear strong and passionate arguments from both sides of an issue so they will have enough information to make up their own minds about where they stand.

The Munk Debates Podcast

The Munk Debates Podcast is dedicated to convening civil and substantive debates and dialogues on the big issues of the day. 

 

The podcast is an extension of the charitable Munk Debates' commitment to pushing back against the political polarization and restoring the art of public debate in our time. For more information about the Munk Debates visit www.munkdebates.com/podcast

The Munk Debates Podcast is dedicated to convening civil and substantive debates and dialogues on the big issues of the day.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The podcast is an extension of the charitable Munk Debates' commitment to pushing back against the political polarization and restoring the art of public debate in our time. For more information about the Munk Debates visit www.munkdebates.com/podcast

Munk Debates Podcast

Steven Pinker Dialogue

Marker 01

The full length edition of this week's' Friday Focus podcast is being made available to all paying and non-paying subscribers.

America's new national security strategy doctrine is getting a lot of attention and for good reason. Two main points stick out for Rudyard and Janice: the assumption that Europe is a civilization in decline, and that the western hemisphere belongs to the United States. Up until this point many of us accepted that in the last decade the world has shifted considerably with the rise of China. The post-Cold war unipolar period led by America as the superpower is over and we are witnessing a return to the great power competition between countries that defined the late 19th and early 20th centuries. What should concern Canadians in the strategy announced last week is the notion of spheres of influence, which suggests that North America belongs to the U.S. who will dominate and discipline neighbouring countries. Putin praised the doctrine which also implies that the other great powers - specifically China and Russia - are allowed their own spheres of influence. How should Canadians interpret this strategy? And how should it inform our foreign policy and defense strategy in the years ahead?

The full length edition of this week's' Friday Focus podcast is being made available to all paying and non-paying subscribers.
America's <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-National-Security-Strategy.pdf">new national security strategy</a> doctrine is getting a lot of attention and for good reason. Two main points stick out for Rudyard and Janice: the assumption that Europe is a civilization in decline, and that the western hemisphere belongs to the United States. Up until this point many of us accepted that in the last decade the world has shifted considerably with the rise of China. The post-Cold war unipolar period led by America as the superpower is over and we are witnessing a return to the great power competition between countries that defined the late 19th and early 20th centuries. What should concern Canadians in the strategy announced last week is the notion of spheres of influence, which suggests that North America belongs to the U.S. who will dominate and discipline neighbouring countries. Putin praised the doctrine which also implies that the other great powers - specifically China and Russia - are allowed their own spheres of influence. How should Canadians interpret this strategy? And how should it inform our foreign policy and defense strategy in the years ahead?

Friday Focus: Why America's new national security strategy has Ottawa on edge

On this special podcast episode we are sharing the opening statements from the Munk Debate on the Two-State Solution which took place on December 3rd in front of an audience of 3,000 people at Toronto’s Meridian Hall.

The debate resolution was Be it resolved, it is in Israel’s interest to support a two-state solution

Arguing in favour of the resolution was former Israeli prime minister, finance minister, and mayor of Jerusalem, Ehud Olmert. His debate partner was Tzipi Livni, who served as Israel's justice and foreign minister and the country's chief peace negotiator in 2008 and 2014. Arguing against the resolution was the celebrated historian, former Israeli ambassador to the United States and deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Michael Oren. His debate partner was Ayelet Shaked, who most recently served as Israel's justice minister and minister of the interior.

As with all our live Munk Debates, the audience voted on this resolution prior to hearing the debate. Initially, 67% of attendees voted in favour of the debate motion, and 33% voted against.

We did another poll after the debate to find out how many people had changed their minds once they listened to arguments from both sides. 

If you would like to watch or listen to the full debate go to www.munkdebates.com

On this special podcast episode we are sharing the opening statements from the Munk Debate on the Two-State Solution which took place on December 3rd in front of an audience of 3,000 people at Toronto&rsquo;s Meridian Hall.
The debate resolution was Be it resolved, it is in Israel&rsquo;s interest to support a two-state solution
Arguing in favour of the resolution was former Israeli prime minister, finance minister, and mayor of Jerusalem, Ehud Olmert. His debate partner was Tzipi Livni, who served as Israel's justice and foreign minister and the country's chief peace negotiator in 2008 and 2014. Arguing against the resolution was the celebrated historian, former Israeli ambassador to the United States and deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Michael Oren. His debate partner was Ayelet Shaked, who most recently served as Israel's justice minister and minister of the interior.
As with all our live Munk Debates, the audience voted on this resolution prior to hearing the debate. Initially, 67% of attendees voted in favour of the debate motion, and 33% voted against.
We did another poll after the debate to find out how many people had changed their minds once they listened to arguments from both sides.&nbsp;
If you would like to watch or listen to the full debate go to www.munkdebates.com

Munk Debate on the Two-State Solution: Opening Statements

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates.

Chair Rudyard Griffiths and managing director Ricki Gurwitz start today's show with a brief recap of the spirited Munk Debate on the Two-State Solution that took place at Meridian Hall on Wednesday night. Hundreds of protesters gathered outside to try to shut down the debate but were unsuccessful in their efforts, thanks in large part to the fantastic security team at Meridian Hall and the Toronto Police Services. In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice talk about the high drama out of Europe this week: leaked memos of conversations between leaders revealing a deep distrust of the US and a desperation about how to support Ukraine at this moment. Putin has said he is ready for war with Europe. What does he mean by that? And after invoking the threat of nuclear weapons for over two years now are his warnings starting to ring hollow? And finally, where do we go from here? Is there any hope for a solution to this conflict?

To support the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $50 annually, or $1.00 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt.

This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue.

More information at www.munkdebates.com.

Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates.
Chair Rudyard Griffiths and managing director Ricki Gurwitz start today's show with a brief recap of the spirited Munk Debate on the Two-State Solution that took place at Meridian Hall on Wednesday night. Hundreds of protesters gathered outside to try to shut down the debate but were unsuccessful in their efforts, thanks in large part to the fantastic security team at Meridian Hall and the Toronto Police Services. In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice talk about the high drama out of Europe this week: leaked memos of conversations between leaders revealing a deep distrust of the US and a desperation about how to support Ukraine at this moment. Putin has said he is ready for war with Europe. What does he mean by that? And after invoking the threat of nuclear weapons for over two years now are his warnings starting to ring hollow? And finally, where do we go from here? Is there any hope for a solution to this conflict?
To support the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a <a href="https://munkdebates.com/donate">donor</a> to the Munk Debates for as little as $50 annually, or $1.00 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt.
This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue.
More information at&nbsp;<a href="https://open.acast.com/shows/6008b82f0c8488532b25d16c/episodes/www.munkdebates.com">www.munkdebates.com</a>.

Steven Pinker Dialogue

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