Sapiens

Sapiens is the subject of the best-selling book Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari, and refers to modern humans, Homo sapiens.

 

Summary of Key Content

 

1. What is Sapiens?

• Sapiens is a modern human species that emerged in Africa about 300,000 years ago. It is the only one of several human species, including Homo erectus and Neanderthals, to survive and become the ancestors of modern humans.

• Sapiens has achieved unique evolution in language, imagination, and cooperative abilities.

 

2. Cognitive Revolution

• About 70,000 years ago, a ‘cognitive revolution’ occurred among Sapiens. This revolution means a rapid development in language and imagination.

• Sapiens had the ability to talk about and believe in ‘fiction’ (imaginary realities, such as myths, religions, nations, and currencies). This allowed hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands of people to cooperate, and to build large-scale societies and civilizations.

 

3. Agricultural and Scientific Revolutions

• The Agricultural Revolution (about 12,000 years ago) marked the transition of humans from hunter-gatherers to agricultural societies, leading to the development of settled life, cities, nations, classes, and religions.

• The Scientific Revolution (about 500 years ago) brought about fundamental changes in the way humans understand and control nature and the world. This is connected to modern capitalism, imperialism, and technological advancements.

 

4. Characteristics and Success Factors of Sapiens

• Sapiens became the rulers of the Earth because of their ability to flexibly cooperate with others, their ability to believe in fiction and use collective imagination, and their ability to rapidly transmit culture and knowledge.

• Sapiens' language can create infinite meanings with limited symbols, and can share abstract concepts such as rumors, myths, and religions.

 

5. Critical Perspective

• Harari points out that human development has not necessarily brought happiness. Rather, he says that agricultural revolutions have increased labor and suffering, and that modern people may not be happier than in the past.

Conclusion

『Sapiens』 explains how humans became the rulers of the Earth, and what roles language, imagination, cooperation, fiction, and revolution played in the process. This book provides insight into how human nature, civilization, and the values and systems we believe in were formed.