There Is No Justice in History — Imagined Hierarchies, Social Injustice, and the Roots of Inequality Explained | Chapter 8 from Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari

Why have all large-scale societies in human history been built on imagined hierarchies? In Chapter 8 of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Yuval Noah Harari challenges the notion of natural order, arguing that every society is structured around myths of inequality—be they about race, caste, gender, wealth, or religion. Watch the full video summary below, and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for clear, scholarly breakdowns of every chapter!

The Fiction of Natural Order

Harari reveals how imagined orders—shared beliefs in hierarchies and group divisions—are at the foundation of human cooperation. These hierarchies are not dictated by biology, but invented by human societies, enforced through violence and myth, and perpetuated across generations. From Hammurabi’s Code to the American Declaration of Independence, the promise of equality often masked deep systems of exclusion and injustice.

Key Topics in Chapter 8

• Imagined Hierarchies: How myths, religion, and law construct enduring divisions of race, caste, gender, and class.
• Vicious Cycles of Discrimination: Social systems deny opportunity, then use those outcomes to justify further exclusion.
• Patriarchy and Gender Roles: The persistent global inequality between men and women, shaped by culture—not biology.
• The Caste System and Racial Segregation: Historical examples from India and the U.S. show how these hierarchies were justified and maintained.
• Biology vs. Culture: Harari’s “biology enables, culture forbids” principle helps explain the flexibility and endurance of social constructs.
• The Power of Myth: Myths about “naturalness” become embedded in law, language, and daily life, making inequality seem inevitable.

Patriarchy: Enduring and Unanswered

Harari devotes special attention to gender roles, showing that while biological sex is real, the vast differences in men’s and women’s roles across societies are historical and cultural—constantly shifting yet remarkably persistent. From ancient law codes treating women as property to modern double standards, patriarchy has survived by being taken for granted, not because it is natural or inevitable.

Conclusion: Questioning the Myths That Govern Us

Chapter 8 of Sapiens ends with a powerful call to look beyond “natural” justifications for inequality. If we want justice, we must be willing to question the myths that define and divide us. For a complete, critical breakdown of these enduring hierarchies, watch the video above and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more Sapiens chapter guides!

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