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
Oct 21, 2019 • 52min
#172 — Among the Deplorables
In this engaging conversation, Andrew Marantz, a staff writer at The New Yorker and author of "Antisocial," dives into the world of online extremism and social media's impact on politics. He discusses the complexities of guilt by association in journalism and the nuances of maintaining objectivity. The chat touches on the chaotic landscape of troll culture, the dangers of misinformation, and the challenges of addressing racial rhetoric in media discourse. Marantz sheds light on how these elements shape the American conversation today.
Oct 8, 2019 • 42min
#171 — Escaping a Christian Cult
In this captivating discussion, Megan Phelps-Roper, a former member of the Westboro Baptist Church and now a writer and educator, shares her transformative journey. She reflects on her memoir, delving into the struggles of leaving a life steeped in extremism. Topics include the contradictions between her family's legal background and the church's anti-LGBT stance, and the paradox of joy within a culture of protest. Megan reveals how social media played a crucial role in her escape, sparking critical conversations that reshaped her beliefs.
Oct 2, 2019 • 48min
#170 — The Great Uncoupling
In this intriguing conversation, Andrew McAfee, a research scientist at MIT Sloan and author of 'More From Less,' dives into how human progress has evolved and how prosperity can be independent of resource consumption. He discusses the advantages and drawbacks of capitalism and technological progress, alongside the importance of environmental policies. The talk also addresses the challenges posed by automation and economic inequality, calling for innovative solutions to ensure a sustainable and equitable future for all.
Sep 20, 2019 • 44min
#169 — Omens of a Race War
Kathleen Belew, a historian and author of "Bring the War Home," dives into the complexities of the white power movement in the U.S. She discusses the ideologies of white supremacy and nationalism, revealing their contemporary relevance. The conversation highlights the influence of events like Ruby Ridge and Waco on extremist groups and the emergence of leaderless resistance. Belew also connects the Oklahoma City bombing to these ideologies, emphasizing the need to understand such violent acts within their historical context.
9 snips
Sep 11, 2019 • 37min
#168 — Mind, Space, & Motion
In this engaging conversation, Barbara Tversky, an Emeritus professor of psychology at Stanford and expert in spatial thinking, joins to explore the connections between mind, space, and motion. They discuss how our understanding of space predates language and the role of gestures in communication. Tversky explains the influence of mirror neurons on cognition and the complexity of spatial reasoning. The impact of technology on navigation skills and the relationship between body movement and thought are also intriguing focal points that resonate throughout the discussion.
Aug 26, 2019 • 16min
#167 — A Few Thoughts on White Supremacy
The discussion dives into the backlash surrounding views on white supremacy and its comparison to jihadism. There's an emphasis on the importance of intellectual honesty in sensitive topics. The speaker addresses the complexities of each ideology, advocating for empirical data to clarify the prevalence of these extremist beliefs. Additionally, they tackle the challenges of navigating nuanced conversations while keeping sight of truth and understanding.
Aug 21, 2019 • 26min
#166 — The Plague Years
Matt McCarthy, an infectious disease doctor and author of "Superbugs: The Race to Stop an Epidemic," dives deep into the critical threat of drug-resistant bacteria and superbugs. He shares alarming insights about the failure of the pharmaceutical industry to adapt to evolving pathogens. The discussion highlights the ethical dilemmas in antibiotic usage, the complacency following the success of early antibiotics, and the urgent need for innovative solutions. McCarthy emphasizes the global health implications while advocating for a transformative approach in antibiotic research and practices.
Aug 14, 2019 • 1h 2min
#165 — Journey into Wokeness
Caitlin Flanagan, a thought-provoking writer for The Atlantic known for her sharp social insights, joins the conversation to tackle controversial topics. She discusses the evolving landscape of feminism, highlighting contradictions within the movement. Flanagan shares her views on the #MeToo movement and how societal norms around sexuality are shifting. The dialogue also delves into media bias, especially in coverage of politically charged incidents, and critiques the current state of academia's approach to wokeness.
Aug 5, 2019 • 50min
#164 — Cause & Effect
In this engaging discussion, Judea Pearl, a UCLA professor and Turing Award winner, dives deep into the mathematics of causality and its implications for artificial intelligence. They explore the complexities of understanding causation versus correlation, emphasizing how AI needs to grasp these concepts for true intelligence. The conversation critiques historical views on causation and touches on provocative ideas about free will and consciousness, challenging listeners to rethink their understanding of decision-making and the nature of reality.
11 snips
Jul 12, 2019 • 56min
#163 — Ricky Gervais
Ricky Gervais, a celebrated comedian and actor known for his roles in The Office and After Life, shares his candid insights. He dives into the complexities of navigating humor in today's sensitive society and the impact of social media on comedy. Gervais discusses the challenges of crafting jokes amid cancel culture and political correctness. He also reflects on fame, the state of journalism, and the changing dynamics of public discourse, making for a thought-provoking and entertaining conversation on the evolving landscape of comedy.
