Historian Yuval Noah Harari discusses the tension between justice and peace, exploring historical instances of non-violent resistance and conflict resolution. He emphasizes the importance of compromises, the impact of power dynamics, and the potential for a more peaceful future by shifting societal behaviors.
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Harari emphasizes prioritizing peace over justice when resolving conflicts, stressing the subjective nature of justice and the objective nature of peace.
Harari highlights the transformative power of storytelling on societal developments, advocating for changing narratives to inspire peaceful revolutions.
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The Role of Fairness and Peace
Yuval Noah Harari discusses the concept of fairness and peace, highlighting how many conflicts in history stem from human attempts to impose their concepts of fairness onto reality. He emphasizes the subjective nature of justice and the objective nature of peace, advocating for prioritizing peace over justice when faced with conflicts. Harari explores three definitions of fairness, namely equality, equity, and need, and emphasizes the importance of understanding whom we include in the community that deserves justice.
The Power of Fiction in History
Harari delves into the power of storytelling and fiction in shaping human history, asserting that narratives and imagination have been the driving forces of societal developments. He discusses the different stories people tell about the world and history, ranging from fascist and communist narratives to more optimistic liberal perspectives. Harari underscores the transformative potential of changing the stories we tell, highlighting the impact of non-violent resistance campaigns and peaceful societal revolutions throughout history.
Shifts in Historical Violence and Cooperation
Harari examines shifts in historical violence and cooperation, pointing out that humans have the capacity to create more peaceful societies through concerted efforts. He discusses how the reduction of international violence in recent decades demonstrates the potential for positive change. Harari emphasizes the importance of resisting the inevitability narrative of conflict, and he reflects on historical evidence showing variations in violent and peaceful periods in human history.
Human Nature, Culture, and Conflict Resolution
Harari discusses human nature in relation to conflict resolution, challenging the notion that humans are inherently predisposed to violence. He emphasizes the role of culture, narratives, and the power of cooperation in shaping human interactions. Harari advocates for addressing conflicts through conversations and understanding, rather than resorting to violence, highlighting the need to break free from historical baggage to imagine alternative destinies and foster peace for future generations.
Yuval Noah Harari is a historian best known for his book Sapiens, which has sold more than 25 million copies and been translated into 65 languages. Adam and Yuval examine the power of stories in shaping humanity’s success, discuss the tension between justice and peace, and reconsider the true purpose of studying history. Yuval’s latest book, Unstoppable Us, Volume 2: Why The World Isn’t Fair, is for young readers and it’s out now.
Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts
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