Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow

Chapter 5 probes the complex relationship between science and religion, challenging common perceptions about their interaction throughout history. Harari argues that the rise of modern science hasn’t replaced religious myths with objective knowledge; instead, science has often reinforced these myths.

Harari begins by questioning whether the advancement of scientific knowledge has diminished the power of religious and cultural narratives. He contrasts the beliefs in entities like the god Sobek in ancient Egypt with the modern reliance on scientific theories like evolution. However, he asserts that scientific theories don’t exist in a vacuum and are intertwined with the religious and ideological underpinnings of society.

The chapter challenges traditional definitions of religion, suggesting religion should be understood not just as a belief in supernatural beings or forces but as a framework that legitimizes social structures and moral laws as reflections of superhuman or natural laws. This perspective allows for the inclusion of ideologies like nationalism, communism, and liberalism under the umbrella of religion.

Harari argues that religion and science are intertwined in their pursuit of order and power, respectively. While science provides the means to achieve certain ends, religion offers the ethical framework and justification for using scientific knowledge. This relationship is exemplified in historical contexts where scientific advancements occurred within intensely religious societies.

The chapter explores the idea that religious narratives often contain a mix of ethical judgments, factual statements, and practical guidelines, leading to confusion and conflating truth with belief. Harari uses historical examples like the Donation of Constantine and modern issues like attitudes toward gay culture to illustrate how religious beliefs often rest on dubious factual claims.

This chapter discusses the principles guiding modern society, which Harari captures as a trade-off: Humans have agreed to sacrifice meaning for power. In pre-modern times, people believed their lives were part of a cosmic plan, providing meaning but limiting power. In the modern era, he argues, this belief is rejected. Life is seen as devoid of inherent purpose, but this lack of preordained meaning frees humanity to pursue almost limitless power.

The chapter examines the core of modernity: relentless pursuit of growth and progress. Economic growth, driven by scientific advancement, is seen as essential. This growth ethos, Harari argues, is almost religious in nature. It’s not just about individual prosperity but also about solving collective problems. Economic growth is perceived as the remedy for everything from poverty to political stability.

Harari examines the mechanisms that fuel this growth, notably the role of credit and the belief in future progress. This system is dependent on the continuous expansion of knowledge and resources, seemingly overcoming traditional limitations. However, this growth comes at a cost, primarily ecological. The relentless exploitation of resources and environmental degradation poses a significant threat, yet the modern world is often unaware of this, assuming future science will resolve these issues.

This belief in perpetual growth and progress creates individual and collective stress. People are constantly driven to achieve more, and societies are in a state of continuous upheaval. Despite technological advancements and wealth, modern life is often marked by anxiety and discontent.

Harari points out that while capitalism has brought benefits like reducing famine and increasing global cooperation, it has also created new challenges and ethical dilemmas. The capitalist creed, with its focus on continuous growth and profit, overlooks or exacerbates social and environmental issues.

The chapter concludes by suggesting that the solution to the modern predicament doesn’t lie in economic systems alone but in a new belief system: humanism. Humanism fills the void left by the absence of traditional religious meanings, providing ethical, aesthetic, and compassionate frameworks within a world driven by the pursuit of power. The next chapter, Harari hints, will explore how humanism has managed to thrive in this context.

Harari explores how modern society has redefined the source of meaning and authority from divine or cosmic plans to human experiences and feelings. This chapter details the evolution of humanism, a worldview that centers humanity and its experiences as the ultimate source of meaning.

The chapter opens by stating that the modern deal offers power in exchange for renouncing belief in a cosmic plan that gives life meaning. However, it points out an escape clause: If humans can find meaning without relying on a cosmic plan, this doesn’t violate the deal. This idea is pivotal in modern society, where order and meaning are derived not from divine scripts but from human experiences.

Humanism, as the chapter explains, reverses traditional roles. Instead of a cosmic plan giving life meaning, human experiences are now tasked with infusing the cosmos with meaning. This shift in thought led to the belief that humans must create meaning in a world inherently devoid of it. The chapter argues that the real religious revolution of modernity is the shift from faith in God to faith in humanity, a process that took centuries of philosophical, artistic, and political labor.

The book then discusses how humanism fractured into various sects, all agreeing that human experience is the supreme source of authority but differing in their interpretations. The three main branches are as follows:

Liberal humanism (or liberalism): This branch believes in individual freedom and the unique value of each person’s experiences and inner voice. It underpins liberal politics, economics, ethics, aesthetics, and education.

Socialist humanism: This includes various socialist and communist movements, agreeing with liberalism on the importance of human experience but criticizing the liberal focus on individualism.

Evolutionary humanism: Exemplified by the Nazis, this branch also values human experience but interprets it through the lens of evolutionary theory, often leading to hierarchical and oppressive ideologies.

The chapter then discusses the challenges liberalism faced in the 20th century, particularly from socialist and fascist regimes. Despite suffering setbacks during the World Wars and Cold War, liberalism eventually emerged triumphant, adapting some ideas from socialism and fascism, such as welfare services. By the late 20th century, it became the dominant global ideology.

Harari speculates that liberalism’s focus on individual experience might be its undoing in the 21st century. Advancements in biotechnology and AI could undermine the notion of free will and individualism as human experiences and feelings become increasingly designable. The chapter suggests that while liberalism has successfully navigated past challenges, the technological advances of the 21st century could present unprecedented threats to its foundational principles.

Harari argues that the humanist focus on individual experiences has deeply influenced an understanding of concepts like war, politics, art, and the economy. It contrasts medieval and modern perceptions, highlighting how the latter prioritizes the subjective experiences of individuals.