Tag Archives: sam harris

The Sam Harris Nightline Interview

Posted on December 31, 2010 by John C. Snider
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The Moral Landscape, Chapter 5: The Future of Happiness

Posted on November 27, 2010 by John C. Snider

Chapter-by-chapter thoughts on Sam Harris’ The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values Summary:  As imperfect as it may be, scientific study of morality and human happiness is worthwhile. This is a short book: less than 200 pages, not … Continue reading →

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The Moral Landscape, Chapter 4: Religion

Posted on November 25, 2010 by John C. Snider

Chapter-by-chapter thoughts on Sam Harris’ The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values Summary:  Religion, being non-facts-based, is counterproductive to creating a proper moral framework. Yes, the 400-pound gorilla in the room.  Although America is conspicuously more religious than … Continue reading →

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The Moral Landscape, Chapter 3: Belief

Posted on November 23, 2010 by John C. Snider

Chapter-by-chapter thoughts on Sam Harris’ The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values Summary: Belief, to be legitimate, must be constrained by facts.  Honest belief is not a matter of personal preference. Whole books have been written on what … Continue reading →

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The Moral Landscape, Chapter 2: Good and Evil

Posted on November 21, 2010 by John C. Snider

Chapter-by-chapter thoughts on Sam Harris’ The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values Summary: Human morality must balance cooperation and selfishness.  Free will is an illusion, but it doesn’t obliterate our ability to make decisions that improve our well-being. … Continue reading →

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The Moral Landscape, Chapter 1: Moral Truth

Posted on October 10, 2010 by John C. Snider

Chapter-by-chapter thoughts on Sam Harris’ The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values Summary: Moral truth does not have to be absolutely definable or absolutely objective in order to be a useful concept. I’m reminded why I love reading … Continue reading →

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The Moral Landscape, Introduction

Posted on October 5, 2010 by John C. Snider

Chapter-by-chapter thoughts on Sam Harris’ The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values Last year I wrote a series of posts offering my first impressions of Richard Dawkins’ The Greatest Show on Earth.  Readers responded positively and enthusiastically to … Continue reading →

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Books maybe you should know about, Pt. 2

Posted on August 21, 2010 by John C. Snider

Back in April, I posted “Books maybe you should know about,” a list of upcoming freethought books I thought fellow freethinkers might like to read.  We were about to cover about half the books on that list.   And now, the … Continue reading →

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Sam Harris puts the Pope in his crosshairs

Posted on May 11, 2010 by John C. Snider

I almost feel sorry for the Pope these days.   Okay, not really.  Honestly, I would love to be a fly on the wall when Ratzinger reads “Bringing the Vatican to Justice,” the latest essay from Sam Harris.  It’s a … Continue reading →

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Books maybe you should know about

Posted on April 19, 2010 by John C. Snider

So many books, so little time!  Here are a few recent or upcoming books that I have not had a chance to read, but nonetheless look worthy of the attention of the well-read freethinker.  If I can read all of … Continue reading →

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