Tag Archives: Sam Harris

The Anti-Sam Harris Points Us To A Real Moral Operating System

Posted on June 15, 2011 by dianesilver

Google Engineering Director Damon Horowitz tackles the idea of using numbers and science to make ethical decisions and comes up with a delightfully different answer than Sam Harris did in The Moral Landscape. Watching Horowitz’ TED talk, I’m energized and … Continue reading →

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No Man’s Land

Posted on January 24, 2011 by dianesilver

Keith adds an intriguing comment to an old post about Sam Harris: The specific answer as to why people get angry about such issues is, I think, that the topic of morality seems to sit in a no man’s land … Continue reading →

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Goodness By Any Other Name

Posted on October 28, 2010 by dianesilver

Any search for goodness is probably doomed to wander through the wilds of religion at some point. Variations on political themes will undoubtedly slither through the under brush. Philosophies, moral codes, science and clashing systems of ethics can be expected … Continue reading →

Posted in Practicing Goodness, The Quest | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Sam Harris and the Incredible, Shrinking Idea

Posted on October 21, 2010 by dianesilver

I’m going to do something I rarely do. I’m going to recommend that you NOT buy a book. That’s because there is no there there, no beef on the bun of Sam Harris’ already bestselling The Moral Landscape. Harris throws … Continue reading →

Posted in morality, philosophy, psychology, religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Coming Attraction: A Review of The Moral Landscape

Posted on October 20, 2010 by dianesilver

I’ve finished the book that’s set off  a tsunami in the world of goodness thought, and I’m working on a review. I’ve already got a title: “Sam Harris and the Incredible Shrinking Idea.” Stay tuned.

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Sam Harris and the Truck-Sized Hole in the Book

Posted on October 7, 2010 by dianesilver

Flaming arrows are heading Sam Harris’ way because of his new book, The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values. The problem, says my old blogging friend Josh Rosenau, is the truck-sized hole in the middle of Harris’ argument. … Continue reading →

Posted in morality, Practicing Goodness, psychology | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

A New Moral Landscape from Sam Harris

Posted on October 5, 2010 by dianesilver

Sam Harris’ new book, The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values, is out today. I’m anxious to read it, but Harris’ tendency to squeeze the complexity out of life may render his musings unpalatable. Witness these thoughts from … Continue reading →

Posted in good vs. evil, morality | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Once Again Sam Harris Tries To Explain His New Book

Posted on August 26, 2010 by dianesilver

Sam Harris’ pre-release publicity tour for his new book The Moral Landscape continues, as he once again tries to explain his point. This new Q & A on his website provides a good overview. I find his discussion of the … Continue reading →

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Sam Harris and the Dangerous Quest

Posted on August 17, 2010 by dianesilver

I’m beginning to understand Sam Harris’ argument. He’s seeking an alternative to religion as the basis for morality, and he’s seeing morality as the core issue of our time. In a presentation and lengthy discussion at the Edge Foundation conference … Continue reading →

Posted in Becoming Good, good vs. evil, morality | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Sam Harris, Science and a Universal Morality

Posted on August 6, 2010 by dianesilver

Bestselling author Sam Harris has proposed yet another heretical idea:  the notion that science can and should answer questions of good and evil, right and wrong. He appears to be arguing that  science should shape morality and define goodness and … Continue reading →

Posted in morality, The Reading List | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments