Lecture 8: Shared Beliefs, Countries and History
In this lecture we’ll discuss how our shared beliefs have evolved and take a look at some of the shared beliefs that are critical to much of our civilization and culture. There are many examples we could discuss, and I’ll select a few from geography, from history and from politics. Shared beliefs have substantial persistence and have paved the way to crucial advances and also to major conflicts. Recent trends are toward some homogenization in global shared beliefs, but we are far from a globalization in our shared beliefs.
Lecture Outline
1. Early beliefs
2. Shared beliefs today
3. Borders between countries
4. Accomplishments through shared beliefs
5. Cooperative endeavors
6. Writing
7. More about Borders
8. British Empire
9. Power of myths
10. Competing beliefs
11. Shared beliefs and world history
12. Changes in Shared Beliefs
13. Global Empire
14. Recent Trends
15. Endnote
Concepts introduced in the eighth lecture:
- shared beliefs have played an essential role in the ascent of man
- shared beliefs have allowed major advances in projects that require high levels of cooperation
- shared beliefs, tribal and national, have contributed to many hostile actions
- current national borders are in part determined by conflicts between those with different beliefs and by understandings reached among those sharing beliefs
- shared beliefs have expanded through the actions of colonial powers
- recent history has seen some homogenization in shared beliefs but we are far from global harmony
Next lecture we’ll try to take a look at What’s Next.