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
Feb 13, 2016 • 30min
#27 — Ask Me Anything 3
Sam Harris answers questions from listeners about free will, meditation, Noam Chomsky, the illusion of the self, Clinton vs. Sanders, the de-platforming of Richard Dawkins, wealth inequality, and other topics. If the Making Sense podcast logo in your player is BLACK, you can SUBSCRIBE to gain access to all full-length episodes at samharris.org/subscribe.
Jan 19, 2016 • 42min
#26 — The Logic of Violence
Sam Harris chats with Jocko Willink, a retired Navy SEAL, about U.S. foreign policy, war, human evil, and the taboo of SEALs writing books. They delve into violence in various contexts, special operations units training, false motivation among troops, moral dilemmas of war, and debating the logic of violence while addressing legitimate grievances.
Jan 14, 2016 • 45min
#25 — Behind the Gun
Sam Harris speaks with former SWAT operator and lead weapons and tactics instructor for the LAPD Metro Division, Scott Reitz. They discuss guns, gun control, police violence, and related topics. If the Making Sense podcast logo in your player is BLACK, you can SUBSCRIBE to gain access to all full-length episodes at samharris.org/subscribe.
Jan 4, 2016 • 46min
#24 — Ask Me Anything 2
Listeners are treated to a thought-provoking Q&A that dives into the complexities of Islamism and the ethics of dietary choices like vegetarianism. The discussion emphasizes the importance of free will and navigating controversial discourse while addressing issues like violence and gun control. There’s a reflection on the personal challenges of making dietary decisions and the moral implications involved. The conversation also highlights the sensitivity required when tackling hypothetical scenarios in discussions about terrorism, urging a balanced approach to public discourse.
Dec 21, 2015 • 38min
#23 — Islam and the Future of Tolerance (Audiobook Excerpts)
Maajid Nawaz, an expert on Islam and a counter-extremism activist, joins Sam Harris to discuss topics such as the role of religious beliefs in Islamism and jihadism, the impact of religious ideology on radicalization, the challenges faced by doubting Muslims, and the manipulation of scripture interpretation by extremists.
33 snips
Dec 16, 2015 • 49min
#22 — Surviving the Cosmos
Sam Harris talks to physicist David Deutsch about the reach and power of human knowledge, the future of artificial intelligence, and the survival of civilization. If the Making Sense podcast logo in your player is BLACK, you can SUBSCRIBE to gain access to all full-length episodes at samharris.org/subscribe.
Nov 22, 2015 • 58min
#21 — On the Maintenance of Civilization
Sam Harris speaks with author Douglas Murray about Islamism, liberalism, civil society, and the migrant crisis in Europe. If the Making Sense podcast logo in your player is BLACK, you can SUBSCRIBE to gain access to all full-length episodes at samharris.org/subscribe.
Nov 15, 2015 • 10min
#20 — Still Sleepwalking Toward Armageddon
Sam Harris reflects on the recent terrorist attacks in Paris. If the Making Sense podcast logo in your player is BLACK, you can SUBSCRIBE to gain access to all full-length episodes at samharris.org/subscribe.
Oct 8, 2015 • 39min
#19 — The Riddle Of The Gun (Revisited)
Sam Harris discusses his views about guns and gun control in light of a recent mass shooting. If the Making Sense podcast logo in your player is BLACK, you can SUBSCRIBE to gain access to all full-length episodes at samharris.org/subscribe.
Sep 23, 2015 • 44min
#18 — The Multiverse & You (& You & You & You...)
Sam Harris interviews Max Tegmark, MIT cosmologist, discussing the multiverse theory, the foundations of science, and the risks associated with artificial intelligence. They explore the mathematical properties of particles, space, and the concept of infinite parallel universes.
