To my mind, Sam Harris’s otherwise fine new book, The Moral Landscape, has three weaknesses. First, much like his blockbuster, The End of Faith, this books starts blazingly strong, then peters as the page numbers go into triple digits, particularly post page 150. Harris seems to include previously written filler to bring the book to …
Tag Archive: morality
Oct
20
The Moral Landscape: The Highs
Sam Harris’s new book, The Moral Landscape, is a thought-provoking read. I recommend it. My highest praise is reflected in this note I scribbled while reading: “One of the most important and clear-minded books I have ever read.” I wrote that? Yes, though my overall enthusiasm did wane somewhat toward the end (as my next …
Oct
18
What Science Says about Morality
Many people believe that science is strictly the domain of mute facts. What is. And it consequently has nothing to say about values and morality. About what should be. Many religious folks, or simply thinkers friendly to religion, will claim that values and morality are a special category addressed best or exclusively by religion. I …
Oct
24
The Charitable Atheist
Most people don’t have to think very hard to come up with organizations they believe are compassionate and moral. Churches and faith-based organizations usually come to mind. It’s a misconception, however, that “religion” is the only measure of morality and that only religious people do good work. There are also many secular/atheist charitable organizations in …
May
13
The Assumed Anarchy of Atheists
Because I don’t pray, nor imagine some invisible alpha watching over me, I am free to live in a state of hedonistic anarchy. Yah, right. The reality: I have inner, pro-social, drives. Call them “voices” if you must personify. I have a conscience, in other words. This conscience no doubt originated in my parents’ teachings …
May
04
Jesus in the Football Huddle
Here’s the question: Does the team that prays together get arraigned together? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts of the Apostles 16:31, King James Version) A few football seasons ago I discovered that if a football coach fervently believes in the Lord Jesus …