

Sunday Pick: Yuval Noah Harari on what history teaches us about justice and peace
13 snips Nov 24, 2024
Yuval Noah Harari, a renowned historian and author of the bestseller 'Sapiens', dives into the complex interplay between justice and peace. He discusses how storytelling has shaped human success and the subjective nature of fairness. Harari critiques the reliance on violence for justice, advocating for nonviolent dialogue instead. He emphasizes the importance of understanding history to navigate contemporary conflicts, highlighting how technology affects our ability to engage across polarized views and the vital role of empathy in societal change.
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Fairness Is Subjective
- Fairness is a human invention, not a universal truth.
- Applying our fairness ideals too rigidly can cause conflict.
The Double-Edged Sword of Stories
- Stories are humanity's superpower, enabling cooperation among strangers.
- However, stories can also fuel the worst crimes by creating in-group/out-group divisions.
Competing Narratives of History
- History is shaped by competing narratives like fascism, communism, and liberalism.
- The liberal story emphasizes shared human experiences as a basis for cooperation and resolving injustices through dialogue.