The Role of the Public Intellectual

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I've never respected the boundaries or apparent boundaries between fields of knowledge. I do consider myself more of a generalist than a specialist at this point. Some people specialize so fully that of course their career intellectually is going to observe the obvious boundaries between molecular biology and everything else. But there's a role for... I don't shy away from the phrase public intellectual. It's not the role of a journalist. Not to denigrate journalism. I think we absolutely need more of it.

According to neuroscientist and philosopher Sam Harris, rationality is the key to safeguarding everything we cherish, and its only true enemy is dogmatic inflexibility. Harris speaks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about the views that have made Harris famous, teasing out the often mind-blowing subtleties of his religious and cultural critiques. They discuss what Harris has learned as a podcaster and author, and how ecstasy launched his spiritual journey. Finally, they move on to the power of meditation, exploring the way it can lead to self-transcendence and real connection with others.