Student Question
What are the two central functions of language in Sapiens, and what types of communities do they create?
Quick answer:
In Sapiens, Harari identifies two central functions of language: telling myths and gossiping. Myths enable humans to communicate abstract ideas and histories, fostering religious communities by creating shared beliefs. Gossip, despite its negative modern connotation, helps track social dynamics and facilitates empathy and bonding. This practice is crucial for forming expansive social communities, allowing members to understand and connect without direct interaction with every other individual.
Two functions Harari highlights are the telling of myths and gossip.
Communicating abstract thought and passing on histories through the telling of myths allowed Homo sapiens to learn from their mistakes. It also paved the way for the invention of stories, or myths. Humans invented stories about gods in the stars, afterlives and spirits. They used these first to try to understand the past and future, and then to engender and cultivate fear in the hearts and minds of others. Myths ultimately helped to build religious communities.
The practice of gossiping is fundamental to community building. Its modern negative reputation notwithstanding, gossiping allowed a community to keep track of its members without each member having to go through the motions of communicating with every other member. It allowed for the summation and interpretation of others and encouraged compassion, empathy, and deeper bonding. Gossiping has helped us to form expansive social communities.
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