The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values by Sam Harris
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Summary
Sam Harris's first book, The End of Faith, ignited a worldwide debate about the validity of religion. In the aftermath, Harris discovered that most people'from religious fundamentalists to nonbelieving scientists'agree on one point: science has nothing to say on the subject of human values. Indeed, our failure to address questions of meaning and morality through science has now become the most common justification for religious faith. It is also the primary reason why so many secularists and religious moderates feel obligated to "respect" the hardened superstitions of their more devout neighbors.In this explosive new book, Sam Harris tears down the wall between scientific facts and human values, arguing that most people are simply mistaken about the relationship between morality and the rest of human knowledge. Harris urges us to think about morality in terms of human and animal well-being, viewing the experiences of conscious creatures as peaks and valleys on a "moral landscape." Because there are definite facts to be known about where we fall on this landscape, Harris foresees a time when science will no longer limit itself to merely describing what people do in the name of "morality"; in principle, science should be able to tell us what we ought to do to live the best lives possible. Bringing a fresh perspective to age-old questions of right and wrong and good and evil, Harris demonstrates that we already know enough about the human brain and its relationship to events in the world to say that there are right and wrong answers to the most pressing questions of human life. Because such answers exist, moral relativism is simply false'and comes at increasing cost to humanity. And the intrusions of religion into the sphere of human values can be finally repelled: for just as there is no such thing as Christian physics or Muslim algebra, there can be no Christian or Muslim morality.
The author delves into a comprehensive exploration of religion in this book. He showcases a deep understanding of Christian beliefs and the Bible, frequently referencing them to critique Catholics. The author consistently draws from the King James Version to substantiate his arguments. Not limited to Catholics, he also challenges the beliefs of Christians, Jews, and any faith that embraces the concept of God. Although the author possesses a clever perspective, it is worth noting that, as a person without religious beliefs, he relies heavily on scripture quotations. Nonetheless, his extensive knowledge of the Bible is undeniably impressive, rivaling that of many priests and ministers. It is evident that he harbors a strong aversion towards faith. For the record, I am a Christian, specifically a Lutheran, not a Catholic.
This audiobook presents a practical and logical perspective on moral conduct. It emphasizes that facts are impartial and unaffected by personal emotions, yet they can effectively guide individuals towards making ethical choices. So, don't get too caught up in your emotions, young students, and give this book a read.
This audiobook is a quick and direct listen that has the potential to completely shift your perspective on the world. It begins with a simple, yet innovative assertion about morality and knowledge, before taking you on a logical and compassionate journey towards a modern philosophy. The only downside is the somewhat lackluster narration (sorry, Sam Harris, but like many authors, you're not the best at narrating your own book.) However, once you overlook that aspect, this book revolutionizes our understanding of morality and promotes a renewed focus on treating our fellow human beings with kindness and respect.
The main idea behind this book is quite straightforward: throughout history, we have relied on science and rationality to explain things that we already value, but we shouldn't assume that these methods can dictate what we ought to value. However, Mr. Harris argues that this notion is fundamentally flawed. It disregards a truth we instinctively know, asks us to tolerate intolerance, and allows for the proliferation of bad ideas and moral standards. By combining neuroscience with a deeper understanding of human happiness, we can discern what truly makes us happier and healthier individuals, and strive for continuous improvement.
I have been a longtime admirer of Mr. Harris and have read his two other books, both of which I found impressive. However, unlike his previous works, where he criticizes existing beliefs that shouldn't be upheld, in this book, he presents a positive argument about values we should actively pursue. It is his most "practical" writing to date, and I highly recommend it.
I have great respect for Harris' philosophy, research, and writing. However, in my opinion, this book would greatly benefit from a professional narrator. During an interview, Harris argued that having the author read the book allows listeners to hear the author's inflection and intent. Personally, I find this notion unrealistic. Whenever I come across the "read by author" label, it raises a concern for me, and this book only confirms my suspicion. Harris is undeniably a brilliant individual, and this audio book is definitely worth owning. However, he fails to maintain the narrative in the same way a professional narrator would. Eventually, it feels like he's just reading aloud, rather than effectively conveying the message he wants us to grasp. The passion behind his words and ideas seems to be lacking in his delivery. It's a shame, really. Nonetheless, I still recommend giving it a listen.
Wow... I must say, this audiobook was a major letdown. I was really looking forward to an engaging philosophical exploration of the scientific basis for morality. However, all I got was one person's subjective viewpoint on the matter. The scientific aspect seemed to be completely overlooked. On the surface, it may appear to have a scientific approach, but it falls short... the actual evidence and references are lacking. It ends up being more about personal opinions rather than objective science. There are just too many biases and unsupported "facts" that don't align with scientific principles. It's disappointing, especially considering the glowing reviews that led me to spend a valuable credit on this book. Honestly, while it wasn't a complete waste of time, it was definitely tiresome and poorly presented. Unfortunately, it didn't bring about any profound paradigm shifts for me.
I was really let down by this book right from the beginning, but after reading a couple of similar texts, I decided to give it another chance. I concluded that this author's thinking is as rigid as a Nazi's. He assumes his knowledge is complete and flawless, and he mocks those who don't agree with his conclusions as dogmatic. He repeats the same mistakes that 14th-century priests made, believing that the Bible held all valuable knowledge. He cites numerous studies and treats their results as facts, rather than possibilities.
My daughter recently asked me if I believed in the supernatural, like spells and witches. I replied that while I believe there is a vast amount of knowledge that I don't possess, the concept of the supernatural is contradictory because if it happened, then it is, by definition, not supernatural. In other words, if someone discovers how to fly on a broomstick, then broomstick flight is just something someone has figured out how to do, not magic or supernatural.
I'm going off on a tangent here because Dr. Harris completely missed this lesson. Knowledge is a journey, not a destination. As a non-religious scientist who respects all forms of knowledge, I find his unwavering certainty on so many matters makes me question either his credibility or his sanity.
However, if you're seeking validation that science is the new deity, then this book is right up your alley.
Gare Henderson
While the thesis of "The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values" shows promise, Sam Harris falls short in his argumentation due to flawed reasoning that relies heavily on his personal biases. It's worth noting that Immanuel Kant had already tackled similar ideas with his categorical imperative, although he lacked knowledge in fields such as evolutionary biology, primate studies on moral empathy and altruism. Moreover, it is clear that morality is primarily an emotional process rather than an intellectual one, as evidenced by scientific research. Regrettably, I found this book to be a complete waste of my time, and I ultimately gave up reading it after reaching two-thirds of its content. Therefore, I strongly advise against purchasing this particular audiobook.
Sam Harris's book, "The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values," challenges the common association of the term "morality" with religious dogmatism, racism, and sexism. He argues that we should not simply accept this terminology indefinitely. Initially, I had reservations about Harris due to my preconceived notions about the New Atheists, but I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Despite his strong opinions on religion, Harris aims to find a middle ground between the belief that there is no universal foundation for human values and the notion that faith-based religion is necessary for a universal morality. While critical of religion, Harris's main focus is on encouraging readers to consider a scientific approach to morality as a crucial step forward. I agree with his perspective that science has a significant role in shaping our values and morals.
Even though it may be quite harsh towards Catholics, I personally believe that this book presents persuasive points and kickstarts meaningful discussions.
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