Lives Well Lived SIGAL SAMUEL: optimising morality
Apr 3, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Sigal Samuel, a writer and journalist known for her insights on religion and ethics, shares her approach to navigating moral complexities. She discusses the limitations of optimizing morality within a utilitarian framework and advocates for a balance between moral values and personal fulfillment. Sigal also reflects on her evolution from a scarcity mindset to embracing philanthropy, emphasizing the joy of self-care and the importance of community connections in ethical decision-making.
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From Law to Literature
- Sigal Samuel, raised in Orthodox Judaism, planned to become a rabbi but shifted her perspective.
- Studying religious texts deeply, she began to appreciate them as literature, rich with wisdom but not binding law.
Religion as Technology
- Religion can be seen as a time-tested technology for living a good life. Its rituals often address human psychological needs effectively.
Interpreting Texts
- Despite biblical references to stoning, rabbis argue it was never practiced, demonstrating human agency in interpreting texts.
- Morality is culturally conditioned, evolving, and requires interpretation within current social norms.
