The Role of Emotions in Human Well-Being

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Do emotions like vengeance and hatred contribute ultimately to well-being if well-being is considered in more Aristotelian kind of human flourishing kind of terms? I think there are two debates we've been having too much. You're trying to convince us that those actions were caused and us trying to convince or at least me trying to convince you that they were ultimately caused and beyond our control. We need to wrap up the progress but also stop talking in circles now, he says.

Bestselling author and friend of the podcast Sam Harris joins Tamler and Dave for a marathon podcast. (Seriously, pack two pairs of astronaut diapers for this one). We talk about the costs and benefits of religion, dropping acid in India, and the illusory nature of (a certain kind of) free will. Then we go at it on blame, moral responsibility, hatred, guilt, retribution, and vengeance. Sam thinks these are antiquated responses based on a belief in spooky metaphysics, Tamler thinks they are important components of human morality, and Dave just wants everyone to get along and be reasonable (like that nice Kant fellow).

Time markers (roughly)

0:00-47:00 Intro and costs and benefits of religion

47:00-77:30 Drugs, the self, free will

77:30-- Blame, guilt, vengeance, moral responsibility, desert.

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