Sam Harris's Blog, page 38

A New Year's Resolution for the Rich

American opposition to the "redistribution of wealth" has achieved the luster of a religious creed. As with all religions, one finds the faithful witlessly espousing doctrines that harm almost everyone, including their own children.

A New Year's Resolution for the Rich

The Science of Right and Wrong

Ever since the rise of modern science, an almost impregnable wall separating it from religion, morality and human values has been raised to the heights….

The Science of Right and Wrong

The Moral Landscape: Book Tour Lecture (Part 1 of 7)

The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell

The Great Debate

On November 6th, 2010 a panel of scientists, philosophers, and public intellectuals gathered to discuss what impact evolutionary theory and advances in neuroscience might have on traditional concepts of morality. If human morality is an evolutionary adaptation and if neuroscientists can identify specific brain circuitry governing moral judgment, can scientists determine what is, in fact, right and wrong? The panelists were psychologist Steven Pinker, author Sam Harris, philosopher Patricia Churchland, physicist Lawrence Krauss, philosopher Simon Blackburn, bioethicist Peter Singer and The Science Network's Roger Bingham. Recorded live at the Arizona State University Gammage auditorium.

Watch the other presentations and panel discussion: The Great Debate

Talk of the Nation: Can Science Shape Human Values? And Should It?

Ira Flatow talks with scientists and philosophers about the origins of human values, and the influence of modern scientific thought on human values. Even if science can shape human morals, should it? Or does science bring its own set of preconceptions and prejudices to moral questions?

Sam Harris, Steven Pinker, Lawrence Krauss, Simon Blackburn

Can Science Shape Human Values? And Should It?

Sam Harris Believes in God

By Lisa Miller

Sam Harris, a member of the tribe known as "the new atheists," wishes the headline to this story said something else. How about "Sam Harris Believes in Spirituality," he suggests over lunch. Or "Sam Harris Believes in 'God,' " with scare quotes?

Sam Harris Believes in God

Morality: 'We can send religion to the scrap heap'

Sam Harris says that science can show us the best ways for human beings to thrive – and we can then junk religion forever.

Morality: 'We can send religion to the scrap heap'

Science Knows Best

By Kwame Anthony Appiah

Sam Harris heads the youth wing of the New Atheists. "The End of Faith,"  his blistering take-no-­prisoners attack on the irrationality of religions, found him many fans and, not surprisingly, a great body of detractors

Science Knows Best

Religious skeptics disagree on how aggressively to challenge the devout

By Mitchell Landsberg

'New atheists' encourage open confrontation; 'accommodationists' prefer a subtler, more tactical approach. At a Council for Secular Humanism conference, tension is evident.

Religious skeptics disagree on how aggressively to challenge the devout