Homo Deus
Yuval Noah Harari
Contributed by Andrea Barraza
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Chapter 2
Summary

In the chapter, the author presents the view that human beings have evolved to attain characteristics that are far better compared to those of animals. Specifically, he notes that human beings have since become ‘gods’ (Harari 32). In spite of the position, they have done little to retain the mercy and justice that is normally attributed to gods; rather, they have continued with their heinous actions that have led to a significant decline in the number of animals, especially the ones that belong in the wild. Human beings choose which animals should live or be killed. Thus, while there are only less than a hundred wolves in Germany today, the country is home to more than five million domesticated dogs. The chapter also shows that while the world is left with only 40,000 lions, there are around 600 million domesticated cats. According to Harari, it is evident that the “Anthropocene has altered the world in unprecedented ways” (34). The effect is frequently seen in climate change, a situation that has altered the distribution of various animals in the world, some of them reducing in numbers.

The chapter outlines how the rise of the agricultural and industrial revolutions may have had a major impact on the relationship that exists between animals and human beings. During the time, “the world was now a one-man show” (Harari 37). Human beings have continuously retained the view that its increased food needs have necessitated the seeking of more land, which meant that the habitat of wild animals would be potentially destroyed, leading to a major decline in their numbers. The number of domestic animals, some of which were kept for food purposes, have also increased considerably for the sole benefit to human beings. The author is also keen to put across the fact that changes created by the agricultural revolution developed a major parallel between the animals now domesticated and the ones that are still in the wild. For instance, while the wild boars remain in the wild searching for food and water while exposed to possible attacks by lions, pigs reared by human beings are kept safe and protected “against predators and natural disasters” (Harari 38).

Analysis

The evolution of human beings has been deemed as an important concept. Evolution accords people the chance to gain some characteristics that are bound to make them have more control. As the author shows, “Homo sapiens broke the barriers that had separated the globe into independent ecological zones” (Harari 33). Harari applied undeniable facts to show the approaches used by human beings to subdue nature. It is through the argument that he aims to show the increased capability of human beings continuing to harness their power to attain far-better control over nature as they seek for their own survival. Harari has also shown that the actions by human beings have had an indirect effect on animals. For example, global warming is deemed to be an undesirable outcome of human activities, harming animal survival.

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