Yuval Noah Harari, a historian and author of the bestselling Sapiens, dives deep into the complex relationship between justice and peace. He highlights how storytelling shapes societal narratives and the importance of compromise in resolving conflicts. The discussion shifts to the need for a fresh perspective on history, urging us to learn from the past to liberate future possibilities. Harari also examines the tensions between nationalism and democracy, and the disconnect between human progress and happiness, emphasizing a shift in our understanding of power and fulfillment.
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insights INSIGHT
Justice vs. Peace
Justice is subjective, varying by individual, group, and belief system.
Peace, unlike justice, is objective and measurable by the absence of violence.
insights INSIGHT
Inclusion in Justice
Disagreements about fairness often stem from differing definitions of community.
Dehumanizing others is a key step in excluding them from our circle of justice.
insights INSIGHT
Historical Narratives of Justice
Three major historical narratives shape our understanding of justice: fascist, communist, and liberal.
The liberal narrative offers the most optimistic view, emphasizing shared human experiences.
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In this book, Jonathan Kennedy explores the profound impact of infectious diseases on human history. He argues that pandemics have played a crucial but often overlooked role in many of the great social, political, and economic transformations of the past. This includes the extinction of Neanderthals, the emergence of Christianity and Islam, the transition from feudalism to capitalism, European colonialism, and the evolution of the United States. Kennedy draws on evidence from genetics, anthropology, archaeology, and economics to challenge fundamental assumptions about human history and highlights the critical importance of microbes in shaping human society and culture.
Sapiens
A Brief History of Humankind
Yuval Noah Harari
This book surveys the history of humankind from the Stone Age to the 21st century, focusing on Homo sapiens. It divides human history into four major parts: the Cognitive Revolution, the Agricultural Revolution, the Unification of Humankind, and the Scientific Revolution. Harari argues that Homo sapiens dominate the world due to their unique ability to cooperate in large numbers through beliefs in imagined realities such as gods, nations, money, and human rights. The book also examines the impact of human activities on the global ecosystem and speculates on the future of humanity, including the potential for genetic engineering and non-organic life.
Unstoppable Us Volume 2
Yuval Noah Harari
Ricard Zaplana Ruiz
In this book, Yuval Noah Harari continues the narrative of human history, focusing on the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to village farmers, the establishment of kingdoms and laws, and the development of civilization. The book is accompanied by maps, a timeline, and full-color illustrations, making the story engaging and accessible. It delves into how humans cultivated land, shared resources, built pyramids, and paid taxes, highlighting the key inventions and historical milestones that shaped human society[1][4][5].
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
ReThinking 
