# Human Nature Contains Violence and Its Restraint by Steven Pinker > “For one thing, human nature is a complicated system. Even if we do have urges that can result in violence, we also have systems that can inhibit our urges toward violence. Whether we behave violently depends on which part of human nature prevails, and this balance can change with the circumstances.” > **— Steven Pinker**, *Skeptical Inquirer, “Steven Pinker on Violence,” July/August 2013* ## Sources and Context - **Original or near-original source and full passage:** [Skeptical Inquirer, “Steven Pinker on Violence,” July/August 2013](https://skepticalinquirer.org/2013/07/steven-pinker-on-violence/) — Pinker argues against fatalism and emphasizes changing institutions and circumstances; this is not an endorsement of inherited violence. ## Related Articles and Collections - **Collection:** [[collections/Simple Reminders|Simple Reminders]] - **Article:** [[articles/The Evolutionary Roots of Silicon Valley|The Evolutionary Roots of Silicon Valley]] - **Article:** [[articles/Walking the Beautiful Path Through the Greatest Transformation in Human History|Walking the Beautiful Path Through the Greatest Transformation in Human History]] - **Wiki map:** [[wiki/Human Animality|Human Animality]] ## Related Topics - [[wiki/Steven Pinker|Steven Pinker]] ## Share on Social Media ``` “For one thing, human nature is a complicated system. Even if we do have urges that can result in violence, we also have systems that can inhibit our urges toward violence. Whether we behave violently depends on which part of human nature prevails, and this balance can change with the circumstances.” — Steven Pinker, Skeptical Inquirer, “Steven Pinker on Violence,” July/August 2013 https://bryantmcgill.com/simple-reminders-steven-pinker-human-nature-contains-violence-and-its-restraint ```