The Marriage of Science and Empire — Exploration, Conquest, and the Dual Legacy of Modernity Explained | Chapter 15 from Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari

How did scientific discovery and imperial conquest become so deeply entangled? In Chapter 15 of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Yuval Noah Harari reveals how the ambitions of European empires were inseparable from the progress of modern science. Watch the complete chapter summary below and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for academic breakdowns of every Sapiens chapter!

Science, Empire, and the Race to Conquer the World

Harari begins with Captain James Cook’s famed expedition, which advanced astronomy and enabled British colonization. Scientific voyages were bankrolled by empires eager for territorial claims, economic gain, and “knowledge as power.” Scientific experiments—like treatments for scurvy—had immediate benefits for empire building.

Key Topics in Chapter 15

• Empire Funding for Science: European navies, explorers, and scientists were supported by the promise of imperial returns.
• Cook’s Expedition: Astronomy and colonization went hand-in-hand, laying groundwork for British rule in Australia and New Zealand.
• Imperial Mapping and Linguistics: Mapping India, decoding cuneiform, and “rediscovering” ancient histories through European lenses.
• Science’s Double-Edged Sword: From healing diseases to enabling violence and genocide (e.g., Tasmania).
• Justifying Empire: “Scientific racism” and, later, “culturism” provided ideological cover for conquest and inequality.
• Infrastructure and Oppression: Empires left both innovation and suffering in their wake.

The Dark Side of Progress

Scientific progress brought immense benefits, but also justified new forms of dominance. Racial theories and “cultural superiority” replaced earlier justifications for empire. Even today, “culturism” can perpetuate inequality under the banner of progress.

Conclusion: The Foundations of the Modern World

Chapter 15 of Sapiens demonstrates that science and empire rose together, feeding off each other’s ambitions. The modern world—its technology, global networks, and inequalities—was forged in this marriage. For a full scholarly analysis, watch the video above and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for every Sapiens chapter guide!

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