According to Harari, the “Cognitive Revolution,” which separates us from other animals, began when humans developed the ability to have thoughts about things that don’t physically exist. This ability to “imagine,” allowed us to develop things like religions, money, and corporations, which made it possible for us to organize and cooperate in far bigger groups than before, The Cognitive Revolution, the ability to comprehend a fiction, was the key factor in the development of the society that we have. The Agricultural Revolution came much later and had far more negative consequences that the Cognitive Revolution. It allowed the population to grow exponentially (although, because of the care needs, it partially demanded it) and also allowed the population of cultivated crops and livestock to grow. However, having more people didn’t mean they had better lives. The human population relied entirely on what they grew, so if there were more mouths or a low yield, people went hungry. They also had worse general health because of the lack of variety in their diet which their bodies. Eating only wheat or rice is far less cohesive to good health than a variety of plants and seeds.
Harari explains the human’s dominance in relation to imagined orders came about because of how it allowed us to come together and organize bigger and bigger groups, which wouldn’t have been possible without imaging the importance of a King or a General, as well as the systems they are apart of. The concept can be confusing, because of the how ingrained the belief in these imagined systems is in this day and age, but the argument can still be convincing, When considering how humans became dominant, one always has to consider what is different. Until we can get into the consciousness of other animals, we can’t be sure that they don’t have in “imagination” but by its very nature, there is no physical evidence of its existence. So, at least from our perspective, no other animal possesses this ability. Personally, I do believe that there are more elements to humans dominance than just “imagination,” but, so does Harari, so there isn’t much to argue against, in that regard, because the elements he discusses, I agree with.
Hi Natalie! I thought your explanation of the Cognitive Revolution and Agricultural Revolution was great! I agree that the organization of large groups wouldn’t have been possible without the ability to imagine the roles of a King or a General and the systems they run. Also, the importance of being able to communicate in a more complex way was important to being able to form those large groups. I thought your point that we can’t be sure that animals don’t have an “imagination” was interesting and valid. I also agree that there are more elements to human dominance than imagination.