Harari's Nexus - Stories, Power, and Order

This segment analyses Chapter 2 of Yuval Noah Harari's Nexus, which focuses on the power of stories in shaping society. Harari argues that stories, even fictional ones, are crucial for maintaining social order, prioritising stability over truth and justice. The author critiques Harari's apparent uncritical acceptance of existing power structures and his justification of "noble lies" to maintain order, suggesting a potential for the misuse of narrative for propagandistic purposes. This perspective raises ethical concerns about the potential for manipulating narratives to reinforce existing inequalities. The blog post concludes by questioning Harari's selective morality regarding the use of storytelling. https://philosophics.blog/2025/01/06/stories-power-and-the-utility-of-fiction/