Making Sense with Sam Harris
Sam Harris
Join neuroscientist, philosopher, and five-time New York Times best-selling author Sam Harris as he explores important and controversial questions about the mind, society, current events, moral philosophy, religion, and rationality—with an overarching focus on how a growing understanding of ourselves and the world is changing our sense of how we should live.
Sam is also the creator of the Waking Up app. Combining Sam’s decades of mindfulness practice, profound wisdom from varied philosophical and contemplative traditions, and a commitment to a secular, scientific worldview, Waking Up is a resource for anyone interested in living a more examined, fulfilling life—and a new operating system for the mind.
Waking Up offers free subscriptions to anyone who can’t afford one, and donates a minimum of 10% of profits to the most effective charities around the world. To learn more, please go to WakingUp.com.
Sam Harris received a degree in philosophy from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from UCLA.
Sam is also the creator of the Waking Up app. Combining Sam’s decades of mindfulness practice, profound wisdom from varied philosophical and contemplative traditions, and a commitment to a secular, scientific worldview, Waking Up is a resource for anyone interested in living a more examined, fulfilling life—and a new operating system for the mind.
Waking Up offers free subscriptions to anyone who can’t afford one, and donates a minimum of 10% of profits to the most effective charities around the world. To learn more, please go to WakingUp.com.
Sam Harris received a degree in philosophy from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from UCLA.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 6, 2020 • 1h 8min
#195 — Social Cohesion is Everything
General Stanley McChrystal, a retired four-star general and former commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, joins Chris Fussell, a former Navy SEAL and leadership expert, to discuss crisis management amid the Covid-19 pandemic. They delve into the critical importance of social cohesion and the perils of misinformation. The conversation highlights the balance between personal freedom and safety, the risk of tyranny, and the complexities of navigating upcoming elections. They emphasize the need for adaptive leadership and strong communication to maintain social order during turbulent times.
Mar 25, 2020 • 1h 45min
#194 — The New Future of Work
Matt Mullenweg, the founding developer of WordPress and CEO of Automattic, dives into the future of remote work. He shares insights on the evolution of distributed teams and the benefits of working from home. The conversation covers innovative communication strategies, emphasizing the importance of writing skills in virtual environments. Mullenweg also discusses the challenges of remote management, economic recovery post-COVID, and the ethical implications of supporting vulnerable groups through flexible work arrangements.
Mar 20, 2020 • 22min
#193 — Meditation in an Emergency
Explore how mindfulness can be a lifesaver in crises, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Delve into the connection between emotions and mental training, highlighting social responsibility. The discussion rotates around the anxiety many feel in challenging times and how meditation offers a path to emotional management. Discover practical advice for enhancing personal well-being and navigating the chaos of modern life.
Mar 17, 2020 • 38min
#192 — A Conversation with Paul Bloom
Paul Bloom, a renowned psychology professor, joins the conversation to dissect the psychological impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. He discusses the troubling analogy between COVID-19 and the flu, and the misinformation that has proliferated during this time. Bloom examines how political biases shape our perceptions and responses to crises, while exploring the economic ramifications of the pandemic and lessons for addressing climate change. The episode also addresses the need for systemic healthcare reforms and the ethical dilemmas in how we respond to crises.
Mar 11, 2020 • 1h 6min
#191 — Early Thoughts on a Pandemic
Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease specialist from Johns Hopkins University, shares critical insights on the coronavirus pandemic. He discusses the virus's contagiousness and severity, helping to separate myth from reality regarding transmission. The conversation covers the importance of social distancing, the timeline for vaccine development, and the role of antiviral treatments. Adalja emphasizes pandemic preparedness and the need for reliable information to navigate health crises effectively, all while reflecting on the societal reactions to this unprecedented challenge.
Mar 10, 2020 • 1h 19min
#190 — How Should We Respond to Coronavirus?
Nicholas Christakis, a Yale University Professor specializing in social and natural science, joins to discuss the coronavirus pandemic. They explore the need for proactive school closures and the critical role of social distancing in flattening the curve. The conversation critiques false comparisons between COVID-19 and the flu and highlights issues with political messaging and public trust in experts. Christakis shares insights on the interplay of community transmission and individual responses, emphasizing the importance of transparent communication in managing the crisis.
Mar 2, 2020 • 1h 11min
#189 — Wealth & Happiness
Scott Galloway, a bestselling author and NYU professor, dives into the intricate link between wealth and happiness. He tackles wealth inequality and the societal consequences of transferring resources from young to old. The conversation spans political dynamics around taxation and social safety nets, the ethical dilemmas of big tech's influence on democracy, and critiques of policies like stop-and-frisk. Galloway emphasizes that while financial security is vital, true happiness often stems from deeper, external factors.
Feb 28, 2020 • 32min
#188 — A Conversation with Paul Bloom
In this engaging conversation, Paul Bloom, a Yale psychology professor known for his insights in cognitive science, dives deep into the virtues of President Trump and the campaign dynamics of Bloomberg and Sanders. They explore the limited role of parents in childhood development and the significant implications of wealth inequality and family structures. The duo also debates the controversial deplatforming of philosopher Peter Singer and even humorously contemplates whether Bloom should try LSD, making for a thought-provoking and entertaining discussion.
Feb 21, 2020 • 28min
#187 — A Conversation with Paul Bloom
In this conversation, Paul Bloom, a Yale psychology professor renowned for his insights into morality and the human mind, tackles pressing societal issues. They delve into the harrowing realities of child sexual abuse and the ethical implications of new technologies like child sex robots. Bloom also discusses the complexities of loyalty within moral decision-making and the ethical dilemmas surrounding eugenics in modern discourse. The nuances of morality, compassion in public debate, and the challenges of discussing sensitive topics are all explored.
Feb 18, 2020 • 1h 20min
#186 — The Bomb
Fred Kaplan, a national security columnist for Slate and an expert on nuclear war, joins to discuss the chilling threat of nuclear conflict. They explore the nuances of nuclear deterrence, the perilous U.S. first-strike policy, and the implications of limited nuclear warfare. Kaplan shares insights on historical close calls, like the Cuban Missile Crisis, and reflects on presidential reactions, especially during Trump's tenure. The conversation delves into the moral and ethical dilemmas of nuclear strategy, emphasizing the weighty responsibilities of those in command.
