Facts & Values: Clarifying the Moral Landscape (Episode #364)

Sam Harris revisits the central argument he made in his book, The Moral Landscape, about the reality of moral truth. He discusses the way concepts like “good” and “evil” can be thought about objectively, the primacy of our intuitions of truth and falsity, and the unity of knowledge.

April 23, 2024

[seDj]

Essentially a final resonse to Alex O Connor? Absolutely love this, wish he would talk more philosophy these days.

[Luftgitarrenprofi]

I feel like this will receive widespread appreciation in 50 years. Maybe much longer. Most people aren't ready to even speak the language of incompatibalism and secular objective morality.

[csquared]

This seems to be the result of Sam's conversation with Alex Oconnor. Should check it out as well.

[itslightanddark]

Sam’s most important work: structuring secular ethics in REAL epistemic bedrock.

[solarnaut]

Ooops !
surely I was the only one foolish enough to attempt to enjoy some ice cream,
while listening to Sam describe my moral terrain. <!O_O!>

[ScottPalangi]

That vanilla taste deficiency analogy was a gem. And i wish we'd start calling it well-doing, seems to have more access to power.

[mitchkahle]

Thanks Sam, still the voice of reason for our generation.

[lorozeetzeyoter]

This piece reminds me why you're not merely the only real intellectual out of the whole pop intellectual group, but a great thinker over all.

[parsafakhar]

what about truth then? if telling a lie helps people be happier should we lie?

[Robinsonero]

After reading the Moral Landscape I was impressed but unconvinced. It seemed like yet another value framework that was ultimately without foundation. I felt like he handwaved the Is/Ought gap.

But I really appreciated his discussion on the topic with Alex O'Connor. Alex questioned and deconstructed Sam's moral realism with more skill and subtly than I've seen in Sam's interlocutors. As a result, he was able to offer the most robust arguments in its favor, which it seems are distilled in this recording.

Great work.

[FrankOdonnell-ejhd]

it was one of your best books and clarified some of the big issues for me⚛😀

[Norrieification]

I was skeptical about some of those, but the last five minutes or so is hot fire.

[davidkasper]

Thank you for what you do, Sam. I really appreciate the focus on the ontology perspective you present in this episode. Be well.

[GingerDrums]

The best substantive critique of The Moral Landscape that I have heard is from Carefree Wondering

[dcannek]

Does anyone know if Sam Harris has said anything about the passing of Dan Dennet?

[starcomment]

A good quality vanilla ice cream with a quality caramel sauce is perfection...

[conchoprimo]

He needs to explain this in a whiteboard with apples and oranges

[sunnyinvladivostok]

great to clarify this stuff, thank you

[chazlewis]

This is probably the most valuable topic that you speak about. I wish more people could hear it.

[rustyosgood]

Agree with 100% of this LOGICAL breakdown of a very complicated tectonic layer cake of moral objectivism. Sam continues to upgrade my Operating System with his uploads of sound reasoning.