logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2022
40m 24s

#299 — Steps in the Right Direction

SAM HARRIS
About this episode

Sam Harris speaks with Russ Roberts about decision-making and the nature of moral progress. They discuss the shortcomings of economics as a science, the power of books, the difference between "wild" and "tame" problems, Darwin's embarrassing thoughts about the value of marriage, the utility of decision of analysis, incommensurate goods, free riding, counterfactuals, how the decisions we make change us, the difficulty of predicting future experience, changing moral norms, Effective Altruism, free speech, whether we are making moral progress, social media, truth vs comfort, problems with consequentialism, rule-based consequentialism, free will, meditation, and other topics.

If the Making Sense podcast logo in your player is BLACK, you can SUBSCRIBE to gain access to all full-length episodes at samharris.org/subscribe.

 

Learning how to train your mind is the single greatest investment you can make in life. That's why Sam Harris created the Waking Up app. From rational mindfulness practice to lessons on some of life's most important topics, join Sam as he demystifies the practice of meditation and explores the theory behind it.

Up next
Sep 1
#491 — The Suicide of the Left
Sam Harris speaks with James Kirchick about the far left's growing influence over Democratic politics. They discuss Kirchick's article "The DSA Is a Parasite," the group's platform and foreign policy, entryism, the alliance between Islamists and the far left, Third Worldism, Zohr ... Show More
25m 32s
Aug 25
#490 — Lies, Bulls**t, and the Rule of Law
Sam Harris speaks with Preet Bharara about the collapse of good faith debate in American politics. They discuss the fragmentation of media, the treatment of Anthony Fauci, the rush to prosecute political opponents, Trump's self-dealing, why indictments strengthened Trump, lying v ... Show More
24 m
Aug 21
#489 — More From Sam: A Fabulist at Cambridge, the Strait of Hormuz, AOC in 2028, and More
In this latest episode of the More From Sam series, Sam and Jaron talk about current events. They discuss the death of Cambridge professor Jason Arday and the institutions that promoted him, America's deteriorating position in the war with Iran, the witch hunt against Anthony Fau ... Show More
23m 32s
Recommended Episodes
May 2021
509: Sam Harris | Making Sense of the Present Tense
Sam Harris (@SamHarrisOrg) is a neuroscientist, philosopher, and author of five New York Times bestsellers. He is the host of the Making Sense podcast and his latest book is Making Sense: Conversations on Consciousness, Morality, and the Future of Humanity. What We Discuss with S ... Show More
1h 10m
Sep 2023
Sam Harris (Wealth, Health & Debate)
<p class="p1">Russell chats to Sam Harris, a renowned neuroscientist, philosopher, best-selling author, and the host of 'Making Sense' podcast, as well as the creator of 'Waking Up'. In this episode, they tackle everything from the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, to the dangers of ... Show More
1h 30m
Dec 2023
408. Jordan Peterson & Sam Harris Try to Find Something They Agree On
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down with author, philosopher, and app developer Sam Harris. They discuss the benefits of routine meditation, deleting X (twitter), the issue of defining a Higher Good, the reality of evil, and the difficulty in establishing a shared morality.   Sam Ha ... Show More
2h 10m
Feb 2022
224. Questioning Sam Harris
As an alternative for those who would rather listen ad-free, sign up for a premium subscription to receive the following: *All JBP Podcast episodes ad-free *Monthly Ask-Me-Anything episodes (and the ability to ask questions) *Presale access to events *Premium, detailed show notes ... Show More
1h 50m
Jun 2024
Sam Harris On Consciousness, Meditation, Misinformation, AI, & What Ails The Modern World
Sam Harris is a renowned neuroscientist, philosopher, bestselling author, and host of the wildly popular Making Sense podcast. This conversation explores the crisis of misinformation and the erosion of critical thinking in society. Sam shares his journey of understanding consciou ... Show More
2h 45m