Humankind

A Hopeful History

by Rutger Bregman, Erica Moore, Elizabeth Manton

Paperback, 480 pages

English language

Published June 8, 2021 by Little, Brown and Company.

ISBN:: 978-0-316-41852-2

(18 reviews)

If there is one belief that has united the left and the right, psychologists and philosophers, ancient thinkers and modern ones, it is the tacit assumption that humans are bad. From Machiavelli to Hobbes, Freud to Pinker, the roots of this belief have sunk deep into Western thought, driving newspaper headlines and guiding the laws that shape our lives. But what if it isn't true? In Humankind, Rutger Bregman demonstrates that we are hardwired for kindness, geared toward cooperation. In fact this instinct has a firm evolutionary basis going back to the beginning of Homo sapiens.

From the real-life Lord of the Flies to the hidden flaws in the Stanford prison experiment to the true story of twin brothers on opposite sides who helped Mandela end apartheid, Bregman shows us that believing in human generosity and collaboration isn't merely optimistic—it's realistic. Moreover, it has huge implications for how society functions. When we think the worst of people, it brings out the worst in our politics and economics. But if we believe in the reality of humanity's kindness and altruism, it will form the foundation for achieving true change in society, a case that Bregman makes convincingly with his signature wit, refreshing frankness, and memorable storytelling.

8 editions

xylogx@bookwyrm.world reviewed Humankind by Rutger Bregman

Better than Batter Angels

5 stars

Loved this book. I feel like this book did a better jobs than the more well-known Better Angels of Our Nature by Stephen Pinker at making the case that people are basically good. Pinker fell in the trap of trying to present specific evidence from research that was impefrect and most of the arguments against his thesis have been around that evidence and the validity of that research. Bregman does a good job of avoiding that trap without presenting unsupported arguments.Also, the way he structures the book helpds. Pinker was saying look at this macro evidence we are clearly good on average, whereas Bregman breaks down human behaviors in a micro way and shows the roots of these behaviors. It is a more satisfying approach and I feel more effective.

Izaro reviewed Dignos de ser humanos by Rutger Bregman

Gizateriari buruzko analisi polita

4 stars

Miguel Brieva-ren "Se busca" komikiaren (paperjale.eus/book/59292/s/se-busca) hariari tiraka iritsi nintzen saiakera hontara. Mardula izan arren erraz irakurtzen da, idazkera ulerkorrean eta adibide pilarekin eginda dago eta. Gizakiak gaiztoak al gara izatez edo onberak? Galdera horri erantzuten saiatzen da autorea hainbat eta hainbat urteetako ikerketa bati jarraiki. Erantzuna niri asko gustatu zait (ez dut spoilerrik egingo! :D) eta gizateriari bidaltzen dion mezua oso indartsua eta transformatzailea dela uste dut. Oso gomendagarria.

brunosan reviewed Humankind by Rutger Bregman

Review of 'Humankind' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

What a fantastic book! In an age of polarization, of seeing so much trouble, evil and bad news, this book is not only extremely well timed, but you read it dearly hoping to be true, to be solidly argued, to lift your hopes for humankind and the world. It does all of this.
Now, it´s a quick book. Don´t expect a solid foundation of a new philosophy, or a lengthy review how this "human kind" confronts reality, but it does cover a few key cases beautifully. It also disarms some of the key studies that defend our egoist and evil nature (all of which I knew as valid arguments for evil).
It is a fantastically uplifting book, and I´ve found myself stopping to think and reflect how what I was reading changes my attitude to life. I believe it has. I won´t attribute the change just to this book, but …