Recommendation
Let’s start with a recommendation: if you want a book that will help you see people in a better light and give you hope for the future, “Humankind: A Hopeful History” is a great choice. I was so happy to discover this book—it made my days of reading it feel so much more optimistic even though the world around me didn’t change. It challenges the idea that people are naturally selfish or cruel and instead argues that most of us are good at heart. This book will make you rethink your assumptions about human nature and encourage a more positive view of our world.
Introduction
Most of us are used to hearing that people are selfish, mean, or even violent when left to themselves. News and history often focus on the bad side of human nature. Rutger Bregman’s “Humankind: A Hopeful History” has a different message: deep down, people are mostly good. Bregman uses real stories, social science, and history to show that we are often kinder than we think.
What the book is about
Bregman’s main idea is simple: over time, people have been described as greedy and aggressive, but the truth is much more hopeful. He argues that history is full of examples where people help each other, show empathy, and work together.
Bregman challenges what’s called the “veneer theory” of human nature, which suggests that civilization is just a thin layer covering up our true, selfish selves. This idea is famously described by Thomas Hobbes, who believed that life in a natural state would be “nasty, brutish, and short.” In contrast, the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau thought that humans are naturally gentle and cooperative, and that society can sometimes corrupt our good instincts. Bregman discusses both views: Hobbes’ pessimism about humanity’s nature and Rousseau’s optimism. He uses this debate as a starting point to show that, in fact, evidence often points more toward Rousseau’s hopeful view.
He looks closely at famous experiments like the Stanford Prison Experiment and Milgram’s obedience studies, and the story of a real-life “Lord of the Flies.” Bregman finds problems with how these studies have been used to prove people are bad. Instead, he shows that people often help each other, even when things get tough.
Key Ideas in the Book
- The Real “Lord of the Flies”: In the 1960s, six Tongan boys were stranded on an island for over a year. Unlike in the well-known fictional story, they worked together, survived, and cared for each other. This real event shows that people tend to help, not hurt, when in trouble.
- Famous Experiments Revisited: Bregman explains that experiments like the Stanford Prison Experiment and Milgram’s shock tests don’t prove people are naturally cruel. He uncovers flaws in the studies (the lead researchers wanted to prove that people are bad and kept interfering with the study to prove their point) and shows that most people want to do good.
- Kindness in History: The book tells stories of peace and support, like neighbours helping each other during disasters or soldiers from the opposite side of the trenches in World War I who shared Christmas together in the middle of conflict. I had never heard of that, even though it is a documented real-life event! Why do we not talk about the things that unite us more often rather than only about the cruelties that are committed?
- Changing the Way We Think: Bregman says we should expect the best from others. When we do, schools, workplaces, and governments work better, because they trust and empower people rather than control them. One of the key ways of overcoming the fear of the ‘other’ is to get to know them. If ‘they’ do not look or act like you, make friends with them and see how much you have in common. If they have ideas that you do not agree with, ask them what led them to believe this and deepen the relationship. We can disagree with other people and still be able to live and work together in a friendly way.
Style and Readability
The book is written in a relaxed, easy-to-read way. Bregman explains ideas with good stories and avoids difficult words or jargon. Whether you know a lot about psychology and history or just want to read something positive, you’ll find “Humankind” clear and enjoyable.
Criticisms
Some people think Bregman is too optimistic and ignores real cases of violence or selfishness. Others say he sometimes picks examples that fit his message and leaves out more complicated stories. Still, most agree he gives us a much-needed reminder that hope and kindness matter. I think that we focus so much on the examples of violence and selfishness that it is necessary to bring out the other side as well. Even if some people think it is naïve and optimistic to talk about human kindness, that doesn’t take away from the fact that people also have many more examples of goodness.
Why the Book Matters
“Humankind” came out when many people were feeling divided and anxious. It encourages us to trust one another and believe in the possibility of a better future. I have recommended that book to just about anyone whom I have had a longer conversation with. It is a beacon of hope in the middle of all the war mongering and old dictators trying to shape the world. People might even start seeing that there is a way forward that doesn’t include buying into the fear of the ‘other’.
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