Sapiens
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari is a condensation of human history into primary drivers and influential events. Harari avoids focusing on any specific group of people or events, but focuses rather on our species as a whole. Homo sapiens were once just one species among many under the genus homo. Harari tackles the question of what led Sapiens to become not only the dominant Homo species, but the dominant species throughout the planet. He breaks up the leaps that humankind underwent into four main movements: The Cognitive Revolution, The Agricultural Revolution, The Unification of Humankind, and the Scientific Revolution.
In the Cognitive Revolution, humans went from being another animal in the food chain to the apex species. This was driven by the ability to cooperate in large numbers because of the development of language and imagined creations such as states and religion that generated order. As we progressed forward during this time, other species were decimated in large numbers, including the other Homo species.
In the Agricultural Revolution, humans deviated from their roots by beginning to domesticate plants and animals rather than hunt and gather. The author argues that this movement was an immediate negative, rather than a positive for humans. There was less diet variety, more disease, and humans struggled with cultivation, which they were not biologically suited for. Harari states that the Agricultural Revolution supported more people, but under worse conditions. With food stores and populations increasing, there arose a need for order. Myths arose to sustain order, and the invention of writing contributed to our ability to organize and increase efficiency. Harari then points out that these myths such as religious hierarchies were neither fair nor just, and oftentimes led to deep-rooted discrimination.
In the Unification of Humankind, Sapiens became a more connected body driven largely by three main factors: money, imperialism, and religion. Money allowed men to cooperate despite religious differences or lack of personal trust. Imperialism linked large diverse population groups and merged cultures. Religion lent credibility to laws and organizations that claimed a divine source.In the Scientific Revolution, sapiens were able to make great progress through their admission of ignorance and quest to alleviate this ignorance. Furthermore, through the linking of science with capitalism and imperialism, science was able to garner funding for profit or power opportunities. The author then questions whether humans are happier now than we once were given our great progress. He rejects material gains as our primary source of happiness. Instead, he points to finding meaning in one’s life as a strong source of happiness throughout history, yet questions whether there is any validity in this search for meaning. Finally, Harari concludes by questioning whether the Sapiens species will come to an end in the future. However, he does not cite apocalyptic theories such as nuclear devastation as our cause for termination, but states that science itself has the potential to alter our species beyond recognition.
Many may not wholly agree with the author’s perspective on key subjects. Contrary to Harari’s view of humankind as nothing more than an evolved animal, there exists an opposing view that would view humans as significant. This significance stems not from any actions taken by the Sapiens themselves, but rather, from the source of life itself. There are those, myself included, who would claim that man is created in the image of God intended with the purpose of furthering His Glory. While it is true that throughout history men have created objects and stories, this is true because their creator is also a storyteller. The only difference is that His stories become history, while ours remain on pages and in our ever-fickle minds. Man understands what it means to love one another because we were first loved by The Creator. Men have sought for meaning and purpose in life, because there is in fact a meaning and purpose to their lives. We will constantly strive in vain for joy if we do not seek first the source of joy. A multitude of years have been spent by Sapiens in the search for this happiness. This can be seen in the progress we have made such as the Agricultural and Scientific Revolution that have been rooted in the hope for improvement and happiness. However, these quests for happiness lead to dead ends if sought in areas outside of that for which we truly crave and that which can only bring the joy for which we seek.
The author grapples with the question of whether we are happier as a species now than in the past. He does not offer an answer, but refutes multiple theories, leaving readers with no clear answer. Harari does make a valid point when he states that family and a purposeful life have historically been successful sources of happiness. From the perspective of the betterment of our species, we are clearly better now. The population is much larger and the standard of living is higher. However, from a happiness perspective, there is one source of happiness and it has not changed over the years. It is as unflagging and constant as time itself, because it precedes time. It is also independent of our collective actions. All meaning and happiness is derived from this source. I would claim this source to be my faith.
On the topic of order, it would appear that the strongest glue for laws and governments has been religion. The author questions whether any system is better than another objectively due to his view of all systems including religion and government as nothing more than creations of our imagination. However, I would argue that neither morals nor justice exist outside of some absolute upon which to base them. If one believes in such an absolute, then there does exist an objective definition of what is right and what is wrong, and this is what we should strive to follow.
A link to the full book can be found here. The views expressed are the views of the author or the brief writer, not Titans Of Investing as an organization.
Today’s Titans Brief was written by Blake Shirk.
