Making Sense with Sam Harris

#309 — Vulnerability, Politics, and Moral Worth

Jan 20, 2023

Martha C. Nussbaum, a distinguished Professor of law and ethics at the University of Chicago, delves into the critical intersection of philosophy, emotions, and politics. She highlights the relevance of ancient Greek and Roman thought, particularly Stoicism, in understanding modern emotional dynamics. The dialogue explores complex issues like moral luck, the fragility of goodness, and how honor cultures affect vulnerable groups. Nussbaum advocates for philosophy's role in fostering communal values and respectful dialogue amid divisive topics.

45:26

Creator website

Episode guests

Martha Nussbaum

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

The Feeling of Emotions: A Neuroscientific Perspective

00:54

The Emotional Lives of Animals

01:20

The Importance of Transition Anger

02:00

The Importance of Religious Belief in Public Life

00:43

Intro

3min

Philosophy, Emotions, and Societal Norms

11min

Navigating Honor Cultures and Religious Beliefs in Society

3min

Bridging Divides Through Respectful Dialogue

4min

Stoicism and the Emotions

21min

Exploring Punishment and Moral Luck in Unintentional Harm

4min

Sam Harris speaks with Martha C. Nussbaum about her philosophical work. They discuss the relevance of philosophy to personal and political problems, the influence of religion, the problem of dogmatism, the importance of Greek and Roman philosophy for modern thought, the Stoic view of emotions, anger and retribution, deterrence, moral luck, sexual harassment, the philosophical significance of Greek tragedy, grief, human and animal flourishing, the "capabilities approach" to valuing conscious life, the rightness or wrongness of moral hierarchies, "the fragility of goodness," and other topics.

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