When looking back on history, only then we can reflect on humans’ actions. Through events like wars and revolutions, to establishing world systems such as religion and science, we can make educated predictions on how the future could unfold. Yuval Noah Harari does exactly that in his book “Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow”, by using history as a foundation to analyse current events and predict the future.
What does it mean to be human? What is consciousness? Despite an emerging human centered world, Harari raises these questions to consider all animals, and technologies such as artificial intelligence. Where is the threshold drawn for the definition of life or consciousness? By drawing on religion, science and history, Harari describes how not answering these important questions can impact our future.
Humankind functions as a society with systems in place, such as religion, political or socio-economic ideologies and science. Harari compares religion to the other mentioned systems, and reflects on the fact that they all share similar characteristics. The author’s discussion on these similarities could spark disagreement, but he ultimately raises the point that these belief systems are what have enabled humans to evolve to where we are today. How will such systems be integrated in the future with increasing reliance on modern technologies?
Harari focuses on developments in modern technology and the importance that humans place on themselves in this world. He describes the next generation of Homo Sapiens, namely Homo Deus, meaning God-like. This new generation is shaped by digital technologies’ endless consumption of data, putting humans at the centre of it. Harari raises the point that humans are evermore coming to terms with their own feelings and make decisions accordingly. He labels this as a humanist view of the world, where everything is decided for us and decided by us, not by other external entities.
After analysing historical events, and the results for humans, Harari discusses potential outcomes for the future. Given the rapid adoption of digital technologies, they will play a major role in our future. Suggestions were made about computer algorithms making decisions for us. If computers are making daily decisions for us, are they considering what is ‘best’ for us, or for other entities, such as our Earth, animals, or future generations. Can humanism end badly if others are not considered?
Many of Harari’s ideas seem farfetched and overlook some of the current technologies’ capabilities. But by developing abstract scenarios we can reflect on the ‘what ifs’ of the future. Some of these analogies are over simplified, but it exemplifies the meaning behind Harari’s analysis. I would encourage anyone eager to ponder on the future of humans to read “Homo Deus”.
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Books for Thought 