"Why do people believe that there are dangerous implications of the idea that the mind is a product of the brain, that the brain is organized in part by the genome, and that the genome was shaped by natural selection?"

This quote by Steven Pinker is asking why individuals are afraid of the ramifications of the idea that the mind is a product of the brain, that the brain is organized in part by the genome, and that the genome was formed by natural choice. This idea suggests that the mind is an item of biology, which our habits is determined by our genes. This can be a frightening idea, as it indicates that our behavior is predetermined which we have no control over our actions. Individuals might also be afraid of the implications of this concept for social justice, as it could be utilized to validate discrimination based upon genetic distinctions. Eventually, this quote is asking why individuals hesitate of the implications of this idea, and how we can attend to these worries.