NEB Class 12 4th Essay Humility By Yuval Noah Harari

4^th Essay

Humility

By Yuval Noah Harari

In the essay Humility, Yuval Noah Harari talks about how important it is for humans to be humble. He explains that despite all the progress people have made in science, technology, and knowledge, we still don’t know everything about the world or ourselves. Harari says humility helps us understand our limits and stay open to learning new things. The essay encourages readers to be modest about their knowledge and to respect the mystery and complexity of life.

About Essayist

Yuval Noah Harari is a well-known historian and philosopher, born in 1976. He has written popular books like Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. Harari studies big ideas about human history, technology, and the future of society. He is famous for combining history, science, and philosophy to help people understand how humans think and live.

Setting

The essay doesn’t take place in a physical place like a story. Instead, its setting is the world of human knowledge and understanding—where people think about their role in history and the future. Harari writes about how humility fits into our modern society and the ongoing changes in technology and science. So, the setting is the intellectual and cultural environment where we reflect on what we know and how we see ourselves in the world.

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions.

a. Describe the claim of the Chinese nationalists about human history.

Chinese nationalists believe that true human history begins with the legendary Yellow Emperor and the ancient Xia and Shang dynasties. They view their civilization as the origin of culture, governance, and innovation. According to them, contributions by other civilizations such as those of Westerners, Muslims, or Indians—are considered mere imitations or adaptations of original Chinese achievements. This belief supports a sense of cultural superiority and a narrative that China has always been central to the development of human society. It emphasizes national pride and seeks to establish China as the root of global progress and civilization.

b. What do pious Muslims believe about human history?

Pious Muslims often see human history as centered on the revelations of the Quran. They consider the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad as the beginning of meaningful history. Everything that occurred before the Quran is seen as either a preparation for or irrelevant compared to what came after. History, in this view, revolves around the Muslim ummah (community), and God's message delivered through the Prophet is considered the guiding principle. Events and people are interpreted based on how they align with Islamic teachings. This belief reflects a deep religious worldview where divine revelation defines the purpose of human life.

c. What did the Aztecs firmly believe about the universe?

The Aztecs believed that the universe’s existence depended on ritual sacrifice. According to their cosmology, the gods had sacrificed themselves to create the sun and the world, and in return, humans had to repay that divine debt through continuous sacrifices. They thought that without offering human lives annually, the sun wouldn’t rise, and the universe would collapse. This belief shaped their social, political, and religious systems. Temples, wars, and festivals were all tied to ensuring the balance of the cosmos. Their view of the universe was one of constant struggle and sacred duty to maintain cosmic order.

d. What, according to the essay, are the universal human abilities?

The essay highlights certain qualities that appear in all human societies, regardless of time or place. These universal human abilities include art, creativity, spirituality, and mortality. Art and creativity are expressed through stories, music, and visual representations found across cultures. Spirituality reflects the human tendency to seek meaning beyond the material world, often through religion or philosophy. Mortality, or awareness of death, influences much of human thought and behavior. These traits transcend cultural and historical differences, pointing to the shared essence of human experience. They show that while beliefs may differ, certain human characteristics are common across the globe.

e. How are the basic yoga postures derived from the shape of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet?

The essay describes how some yoga postures resemble shapes of letters from the Hebrew alphabet, suggesting a surprising connection between spiritual practices and written symbols. For instance, the Tuladandasana posture mirrors the shape of the Hebrew letter ‘daled’, while Trikonasana resembles ‘aleph’. This resemblance points to a deeper idea that movement, language, and spirituality may be more connected than we assume. Such comparisons challenge rigid views about the origins of yoga and illustrate how people across cultures express meaning through the body and symbols. It shows that cultural practices often overlap and share visual or conceptual similarities.

Reference to the context

a. How do Hindu nationalists refute the Chinese claim that human history began with the Yellow Emperor and the Xia and Shang dynasties? Who do you agree with, and why?

Hindu nationalists strongly refute the Chinese claim by asserting that ancient Indian sages made groundbreaking discoveries thousands of years ago. According to them, ideas like the theory of aviation, advanced surgery, atomic energy, and complex mathematics existed in India long before similar ideas emerged in other civilizations. References to flying machines (Vimanas), atomic explosions, and advanced technology can be found in ancient Hindu scriptures like the Vedas and the Mahabharata. They argue that this proves India's deep and early contribution to human development. Personally, I agree more with the Hindu nationalists, as there is a wealth of ancient literature and archaeological evidence suggesting that Indian civilization had advanced knowledge far earlier than many commonly accepted historical narratives recognize.

b. The author has dealt with a controversial debate on human history. Why do you think history has been a major contested issue in the present world?

History has become a major contested issue because it is closely tied to people’s identity, religion, and national pride. In his essay "Humility," Yuval Noah Harari shows how different groups such as Hindu nationalists, Chinese nationalists, and pious Muslims each claim that their culture or religion is the origin and center of human civilization. I believe the core reason for these debates is egoism—the belief that one’s own belief system or heritage is superior to others. This desire to be seen as the most ancient or advanced leads to clashes in historical interpretation. Rather than understanding history as a shared journey of humanity, people often rewrite or emphasize their own version to assert dominance. This hinders unity and promotes division.

 Summary (Inn simple)

In the essay Humility, Yuval Noah Harari explains why people need to be humble about their place in the world. He starts by saying that many cultures and religions have thought they are the most important, often believing their group is better than others. This way of thinking has caused problems like wars, unfairness, and damage to nature.

Harari reminds us that humans are not the only important beings on Earth. Even though we have done great things with science and technology, we are still part of a bigger natural world with many other living things. He wants us to understand that our knowledge and power are limited and should not be taken for granted.

The essay also says that humility is needed to solve big problems like climate change, poverty, and how we use new technology. Harari believes that by accepting our limits and listening to different people, we can make better choices. He asks us to respect other cultures and not think that one group knows everything.

In the end, Harari shows that humility is a strong quality, not a weakness. It helps us see that we share this world with others and must care for the planet and each other. With humility, we can make wiser decisions, avoid fights, and build a peaceful, lasting future for all.

 Summary ( In Advance)

In the essay "Humility", Yuval Noah Harari emphasizes the need for humility in how humans view themselves and their place in the world. He begins by pointing out that throughout history, many cultures and religions have believed that they are the center of the universe. People often think their civilization, nation, or religion is superior and that human beings are the most important species. Harari argues that this kind of thinking has led to many problems, including wars, inequality, and environmental destruction.

Harari challenges this human-centered mindset by reminding us that humans are not the only significant beings on Earth. Although humans have achieved great things through science, art, and technology, we are still part of a larger system that includes other species and natural forces. He urges readers to realize that our knowledge and power are limited, and we should not take our current success for granted.

The essay also discusses how humility is essential for solving global challenges like climate change, poverty, and the ethical use of technology. Harari believes that by accepting our limitations and being open to learning from others, we can make wiser and more responsible decisions. He encourages us to listen to diverse voices, respect other cultures, and avoid the belief that one group has all the answers.

In conclusion, Harari argues that humility is not a sign of weakness, but a necessary strength for the future. It helps us recognize our shared humanity and the need to care for the planet and each other. By embracing humility, we can become better decision-makers, reduce conflict, and create a more peaceful and sustainable world for everyone.