Sam Harris on the Science of Good and Evil

Sam Harris on the Science of Good and Evil

Where do our ideas about morality and meaning come from? Most people - from religious extremists to secular scientists - would agree on one point: that science has nothing to say on the subject of human values. Indeed, science's failure to explain meaning and morality has become the primary justification for religious faith and the reason why even many non-believers feel obliged to accord respect to the beliefs of the devout. In this podcast, recorded at our event in April 2011, Sam Harris, the American philosopher and neuroscientist, argues that these views are mistaken - that amidst all the competing arguments about how we should lead our lives, science can show us that there are right and wrong answers. This means that moral relativism is mistaken and that there can be neither a Christian nor a Muslim morality - and that ultimately science can and should determine how best to live our lives. After an opening speech, Revd Dr Giles Fraser, former-canon chancellor of St Paul's Cathedral, joins Harris in conversation. The event was chaired by Jeremy O'Grady, Editor-in-chief of The Week magazine and co-founder of Intelligence Squared. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/intelligencesquared. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jaksot(1506)

The Remarkable True Story of The Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970’s, with Jason Burke (Part One)

The Remarkable True Story of The Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970’s, with Jason Burke (Part One)

In the 1970s, a network of radical extremists terrorised the West with plane hijackings and hostage-takings. Among them were the beautiful young Leila Khaled with her jewellery made from grenade rings...

4 Tammi 40min

How Tech Platforms Threaten Our Future, With Former White House Advisor Tim Wu (Part Two)

How Tech Platforms Threaten Our Future, With Former White House Advisor Tim Wu (Part Two)

Tim Wu, is one of America’s leading thinkers on technology, power, and the history of monopoly powers. A Columbia Law School professor and former special assistant to President Joe Biden for technolog...

2 Tammi 44min

How Tech Platforms Threaten Our Future, With Former White House Advisor Tim Wu (Part One)

How Tech Platforms Threaten Our Future, With Former White House Advisor Tim Wu (Part One)

Tim Wu, is one of America’s leading thinkers on technology, power, and the history of monopoly powers. A Columbia Law School professor and former special assistant to President Joe Biden for technolog...

31 Joulu 202535min

How Philosophy Explains Our World, with Julian Baggini (Part Two)

How Philosophy Explains Our World, with Julian Baggini (Part Two)

--- If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £...

29 Joulu 202535min

How Philosophy Explains Our World, with Julian Baggini (Part One)

How Philosophy Explains Our World, with Julian Baggini (Part One)

What would Aristotle make of Keir Starmer? Would Plato be a Republican? And what can philosophy teach us about modern world? In October 2025 philosopher Julian Baggini came to Intelligence Squared t...

28 Joulu 202538min

Michael Rosen on Hope, Happiness and Finding Joy in the Small Things (Part Two)

Michael Rosen on Hope, Happiness and Finding Joy in the Small Things (Part Two)

Michael Rosen has known – and given – great joy in his life. And he has suffered immense sorrow.  Rosen is an author, poet and former children’s laureate, much-loved for his playful humour. He has wr...

26 Joulu 202542min

Michael Rosen on Hope, Happiness and Finding Joy in the Small Things (Part One)

Michael Rosen on Hope, Happiness and Finding Joy in the Small Things (Part One)

Michael Rosen has known – and given – great joy in his life. And he has suffered immense sorrow.  Rosen is an author, poet and former children’s laureate, much-loved for his playful humour. He has wr...

24 Joulu 202534min

Women’s Prize-winner Rachel Clarke in conversation with Rob Delaney (Part Two)

Women’s Prize-winner Rachel Clarke in conversation with Rob Delaney (Part Two)

Dr Rachel Clarke is a palliative care doctor and author, who became widely known for her writing on the challenges facing the NHS from the frontline of the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then she has also ...

22 Joulu 202539min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

aikalisa
tervo-halme
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
politiikan-puskaradio
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
viisupodi
rss-podme-livebox
otetaan-yhdet
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
rss-tasta-on-kyse-ivan-puopolo-verkkouutiset
rss-polikulaari-humanisti-vastaa-ja-muut-ts-podcastit
rss-kaikki-uusiksi
rss-merja-mahkan-rahat
rss-asiastudio
the-ulkopolitist
mtv-uutiset-polloraati
rss-aika-ankkuri
rss-hyvaa-huomenta-bryssel
rss-kuka-mina-olen