Context with Brad Harris cover image

Context with Brad Harris

Why the West Rules - For Now, by Ian Morris

Jan 9, 2019
Explore the logic of history by analyzing human biology, sociology, and geography. Discover the impact of climate change, the rise of states, and the devastating consequences of measles and smallpox outbreaks. Compare the social development of the East and the West, and learn about the military revolution in the West and the profitable transatlantic trade.
01:29:43

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Quick takeaways

  • Ian Morris argues that studying how human biology, sociology, and geography interact can reveal a fundamental pattern in history.
  • The West's dominance in global affairs can be attributed to the Industrial Revolution, but understanding why it originated in Britain and why the West rose so high is crucial.

Deep dives

The Search for a Law of History

Ian Morris explores the concept of finding a law or universal logic in history that explains the struggles of civilization. He rejects the belief that each culture should be understood on its own terms and advocates for studying how human biology, sociology, and geography interact to discover a fundamental pattern in history.

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