Humankind

One of Europe's most notable young thinkers is Rutger Bregman, a historian and writer for The Correspondent. His most recent book, Utopia for Realists, is a New York Times bestseller that has been translated into thirty-two languages. He resides in Holland.

If there is one concept that has brought together the left and the right, psychologists and philosophers, ancient and modern intellectuals, it is the implicit premise that people are terrible. It's a concept that inspires newspaper headlines and shapes the rules that govern our lives. The roots of this notion have penetrated deep into Western thought, from Machiavelli to Hobbes, Freud to Pinker. We're taught that humans are by nature selfish and driven primarily by self-interest.

What if it's not true? In Humankind, Rutger Bregman, international best-selling author, offers a fresh look at the previous 200,000 years of human history, arguing that humans are built for kindness, preferring cooperation over competition, and preferring to trust rather than hate one another. In fact, this instinct has a strong evolutionary basis that dates back to the origins of Homo sapiens.

From the real-life Lord of the Flies to the post-Blitz solidarity, the hidden flaws in the Stanford prison experiment, and the true story of twin brothers on opposing sides who helped Mandela end apartheid, Bregman demonstrates that believing in human generosity and collaboration isn't just optimistic—realistic. it's Furthermore, it has far-reaching ramifications for how society operates. When we imagine the worst of individuals, the worst of our politics and economy emerges. However, believing in the reality of humanity's love and altruism will lay the groundwork for achieving significant social change, a point that Bregman delivers convincingly with his trademark wit, refreshing frankness, and captivating storytelling.

Author: Rutger Bregman

Link to buy: https://www.amazon.com/Humankind-Hopeful-History-Rutger-Bregman/dp/0316418528/

Ratings: 4.6 out of 5 stars (from 5378 reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #11,713 in Books

#21 in Sociology of Social Theory

#41 in History of Civilization & Culture

#54 in Cultural Anthropology (Books)