The Case of the Evil Genius and the Case of Ordinary Causation

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Tamar: If an evil genius is putting the thoughts in your head and those thoughts lead you to to act badly in society well then you're a victim of the evil genius. Tamar: You don't deserve the punishment that you may get for what you've done. I think certainly most of us in individualistic societies are victims, he says. Tamer: The challenge is to see how the case of theevil genius and the case of ordinary causation are different in a more important sense.

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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