Trusting the Future: What Economics, Capitalism, and Happiness Reveal About Us
In Sapiens, Yuval Noah Harari shows how much of our modern world is built not just on facts and science, but on beliefs and shared stories. The way we handle money, the way we organize society, even the way we pursue happiness—all of it rests on invisible foundations of trust, imagination, and collective faith.
Economics: Borrowing From Tomorrow
At the heart of economics lies credit. Credit allows us to build the present at the expense of the future. It is based on the assumption that tomorrow will be richer, more abundant, and more resourceful than today. Without this faith in growth, banks wouldn’t lend, businesses wouldn’t expand, and innovation would stall.
But this comes with risk: what happens if the future doesn’t deliver the abundance we expect?
Capitalism: The Story of Progress—And the Loss of Presence
Capitalism reinforces this mindset. It is built on the idea of progress—that things will keep getting better. This story convinces people to trust the future and invest in it. Stock markets, innovation, and global trade all depend on the belief in perpetual economic growth.
But there is a hidden cost. In many ways, capitalism has pulled us out of the present moment. Western societies, in particular, struggle with being present, because so much of life revolves around working, consuming, and striving for the next stage of progress.
Instead of fully experiencing today, we live for tomorrow. Presence and peace become obstacles rather than natural states of being.
Happiness: Between Reality and Expectation
Harari reminds us that happiness—our subjective well-being—isn’t just about our material conditions. Instead, it depends on the gap between objective reality and our subjective expectations.
When expectations rise faster than our reality, happiness declines. When reality exceeds what we imagined, happiness grows.
And yet, happiness is also deeply tied to our ability to enjoy the present moment. Studies and traditions alike show a strong correlation between happiness, inner peace, and presence. The more we train ourselves to be in the here and now, the less power external expectations have over our well-being.
Shared Stories That Shape Our World
This tension between belief and reality runs deep. Throughout history, humans have lived not just in an objective world (mountains, rivers, physics) or a subjective world (personal feelings), but also in an inter-subjective world—shared systems of meaning. Religions, money, nations, and human rights exist because millions of people agree to believe in them together.
From dualistic religions like Zoroastrianism and Manichaeism to the rise of philosophical traditions such as Stoicism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, humanity has always relied on stories that give meaning and guide collective behavior. Syncretism—the blending of different beliefs—is another reminder that our worldviews are constantly evolving.
The Takeaway
Economics, capitalism, and happiness are not just technical matters. They are part of the larger story we tell ourselves about the future. By understanding how much of our lives depend on shared beliefs, we can see both the power and the fragility of the systems we live in.
Perhaps the key is not just to trust in endless progress, but to reclaim our ability to live in the present. Happiness and peace emerge not from perpetual striving, but from learning how to experience today fully—without always chasing tomorrow.
