Harari explains in his text, Sapiens, some of the major events that shaped the modern world. He places emphasis on the Cognitive and Agricultural Revolutions as the beginnings of culture and government. The cognitive revolution is defined as the emergence of increased memory, learning, and communication (Harari 20-21). It is when people began participating in higher thinking, creativity, and spoken language. This ability to be creative and solve problems led to the start of the agricultural revolution. Humans began to think of creative ways of storing food and helping others. Harari believes this is the point where people began farming and domesticating animals (Harari 77). With this revolution people had the option to stop relocating based on the availability of food. They could stay in one place and build communities. Eventually these communities led to the creation of government and order (102-103).
Harari explains that Homo Sapiens became dominant because of their ability to live in large groups. The only way a rational species could do so is by creating imaginary orders (Harari 102-103). We established boundaries and connections between people with similar beliefs. This allows people to work and exist together. I think Harari provides a very persuasive argument that makes a lot of sense. It makes sense that laws and money don’t exist anywhere but collectively in our minds. I do, however, carry hesitation toward his argument against the agricultural revolution. He explains that the agricultural revolution created a lot of hardship and that things were easier beforehand (Harari 79). I agree that the revolution made things difficult for many but it is because of this we are able to spend time doing what we do. We can sit and think. We have the energy for education, medicine, and writing books because we don’t have to spend it searching for food and eating.