Apparently, there is a big debate between Pinker and Lakoff going on. Both of new Lakoff’s books are still on my wish list, i.e., I have not read them yet and I have been out of the Lakoffian loop for a while – too much other stuff is vying for my attention these days.
But I have read the two articles, kindly provided by Razib here and my first impression was: “Pinker’s article is one of the most intellectually dishonest pieces of writing I’ve seen from a cognitive scientist”
Interestingly, Chris had the opposite response:
Lakoff’s reply is one of the most intellectually dishonest pieces of writing I’ve seen from a cognitive scientist
Who’s to tell?! Perhaps I am so strongly biased against Pinker that I will defend Lakoff even when Lakoff is wrong, assuming that Pinker MUST be wronger?