Christianity as a cultural product sort of co-opted the compassion, the good stuff and served as a decent vessel to maybe make people value things like self-sacrifice. We can build a world view that has a central source of value, compassion for others and we no longer need religion. Most leaders in the past that believed a lot of what you're calling the first century bullshit were people who expanded our moral world views through pure reason.
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.
Links
Special Guest: Sam Harris.
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