Book
Review
This is one of
those rare books which challenge the reader’s perspectives again and again
unabashedly. Every chapter (there are 20
of them in all) wages a war with some of our pet beliefs and concepts. Religious people who are particularly sensitive
about their faith and religious sentiments will find this book highly
disturbing. The rational thinkers and
those who are guided by the scientific temper will find their perspectives
being reinforced.
The author is
a historian by education and profession.
But the book is multidisciplinary drawing copiously on various subjects such
as biology, psychology and anthropology.
Starting with the evolution of man from the ape, the history of mankind
moves on through the myths and gods our ancestors created, the agricultural revolution,
the industrial revolution, and so on, to “The End of Homo Sapiens.”
Man is a
myth-making animal. Myths have enormous
powers. Myths can bring millions of homo
sapiens together and make them work towards common goals. This is how religions succeed in getting a
lot of things done (most of which may be silly by scientific standards).
However, myths
are not the prerogative of religions alone.
In fact, quite a lot of human actions are founded on myths. Nationalism is a myth, for example. It is founded on certain stories we make and
convince ourselves with. The nationalist
believes that his country is superior to other countries and takes pride in
that belief. It is a belief, however,
which will not stand up to objective analysis most of the times.
 |
| Yuval Noah Harari |
Harari goes on
to show that quite a lot of things we hold sacred are mere myths. But these myths are very powerful. They are usually deeply entrenched in people’s
psyche. All large-scale human
cooperation is based on myths, says Harari.
If you want to change the way people cooperate, then change their
myths.
The book goes
on to question a lot of our myths. The
author knows very well that he can only present the scientifically objective
facts before the reader. Ultimately most
homo sapiens stick to some myths.
Science is too boring to engage us outside the school or workplace.
The homo
sapiens is a self-made god who has created supernatural gods for his own
convenience. “Is there anything more
dangerous than dissatisfied and irresponsible gods who don’t know what they
want?” That’s the question with which
the book ends. There is a lot of
indictment of the human species before that question is thrust into the psyche
of the reader.
I highly
recommend this book to everyone who is mature enough to understand it. We think we are a great species. The book will show us what we really
are. Perhaps, it can make us feel
humble. More importantly, it can open
our eyes to a lot of truths, vital truths.
'If you want to change the way people cooperate, then change their myths.' Very well said Sir. The book appears to be an excellent one. Your review has given a good glimpse of it. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteRight now our country is changing some core myths of the nation :)
DeleteThe book is an amazing work.
An excellent review that gives a clear idea of what to expect from the book.
ReplyDeleteGlad you found it useful.
DeleteYet to read this. Have heard a lot about the book, though. Thanks for the reminder. Will go for it in 2017.
ReplyDeleteIt will entertain you in a unique way.
DeleteI have this book on my to be read list. There is also another book by the same author :'Homo Deus - a brief history of tomorrow ' In 2017 . Definitely !
ReplyDeleteI'm also looking forward to reading the other one.
DeleteNietzsche said many things allegorically. I think he said many such similar things about God and religion. In our own country charvaks were the ones who opposed the ideas of God, Heaven etc. Some psychologists say Gods are inventions to replace the parental figures when one grow up. I am yet to read this book. But I think Thus Spake Zarathustra could be a precursor to the present book under discussion.
ReplyDeleteNietzsche's approach was purely philosophical while Harari's is more scientific and historical. But yes, there is something Nietzschean in this.
DeleteIt requires intellectual honesty, unbiased understanding, genuine intent or purpose in pursuit of life and living to appreciate this work. One's prejudices and preferences are our own speed breaks to pursue truth of one's existence and convinced beliefs and faith. The blog is an honest pursuit of this.
ReplyDeleteThe book is ruthlessly honest about human history and achievement. Science has no sentiments and hence can afford to be honest 😊
Delete