The Moral Landscape

How Science Can Determine Human Values

By: Sam Harris

Narrated by: Sam Harris

Length: 6 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Sam Harris’s first book, The End of Faith, ignited a worldwide debate about the validity of religion. In the aftermath, Harris discovered that most people—from religious fundamentalists to nonbelieving scientists—agree on one point: science has nothing to say on the subject of human values. Indeed, our failure to address questions of meaning and morality through science has now become the most common justification for religious faith. It is also the primary reason why so many secularists and religious moderates feel obligated to "respect" the hardened superstitions of their more devout neighbors.

In this explosive new book, Sam Harris tears down the wall between scientific facts and human values, arguing that most people are simply mistaken about the relationship between morality and the rest of human knowledge. Harris urges us to think about morality in terms of human and animal well-being, viewing the experiences of conscious creatures as peaks and valleys on a "moral landscape". Because there are definite facts to be known about where we fall on this landscape, Harris foresees a time when science will no longer limit itself to merely describing what people do in the name of "morality"; in principle, science should be able to tell us what we ought to do to live the best lives possible.

Bringing a fresh perspective to age-old questions of right and wrong and good and evil, Harris demonstrates that we already know enough about the human brain and its relationship to events in the world to say that there are right and wrong answers to the most pressing questions of human life. Because such answers exist, moral relativism is simply false—and comes at increasing cost to humanity. And the intrusions of religion into the sphere of human values can be finally repelled: for just as there is no such thing as Christian physics or Muslim algebra, there can be no Christian or Muslim morality.

©2010 Sam Harris (P)2010 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Sam Harris breathes intellectual fire into an ancient debate. Reading this thrilling, audacious book, you feel the ground shifting beneath your feet. Reason has never had a more passionate advocate.” (Ian McEwan)

“A lively, provocative, and timely new look at one of the deepest problems in the world of ideas. Harris makes a powerful case for a morality that is based on human flourishing and thoroughly enmeshed with science and rationality. It is a tremendously appealing vision, and one that no thinking person can afford to ignore.” (Steven Pinker, Harvard College Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and author of How the Mind Works and The Blank Slate)

The book says what many feel, but fear to say

I was expecting an anti-religious dialogue; however, I found myself repeatedly saying, “I feel the same way”.

The author clearly makes the point that religions have so many contradictions in their message that thinking people cannot understand what the message really is; while others pick and choose what they believe from the contradictions. These people often become a part of the religious fringe that drives so many others from the good things that many religions offer.

I enjoyed and learned much about religions that I had not known. I also found the Mr. Harris had done his research well when I checked his statements.

really good argument.

Sam sometimes whistles on his s's and it hurts my ears sometimes. I really enjoyed the book however.

Brilliant!

To explain where I'm coming from, I was raised Mormon and became an atheist in my mid 20's--nearly 20 years ago now. Religion has remained a fascinating topic for me, and I've spent some time over the years discussing it with believers and non believers alike.

The most challenging topic has been morality. Certain believers are adamant that there is absolutely no basis of morality without a God to give the rules, keep score, and inflict judgment. Is that true? Taking a step back, what causes a thing to be moral or immoral, regardless of whether there is a god or not? Or is morality something that doesn't actually exist in the real world?

In The Moral Landscape, Sam Harris discusses this issue head on. The tone is intelligent, insightful, optimistic, and humble. Yes, morality exists, and yes, in principle at least it is accessible to science. There are many very tough questions regarding ethics and Harris doesn't shy away from them or pretend to have all the answers. But he has a few answers, including a clear understanding of how the problem should be framed.

I've read a couple of books by "new atheists" Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, and frankly wasn't that impressed. Attacking religion is kind of like shooting fish in a barrel, and can lead to being a little lazy in how you describe things. This book is completely different--it's a thoughtful and insightful discourse on a challenging and important topic.

Wow

Maybe the best book that I have ever read! Has radically affected the way that I view morality and how and where we should direct it going forward. I can think of no higher praise than what I would give this wonderful book.

...not what, but how you think.

Clearly reasoned, written, and read, the Moral Landscape takes obscure and sensitive subject matter seriously. Sam expresses his concerns and critiques without obscurantist rhetoric and, while some readers will inevitably detect condescension toward certain world views, Sam never relies on tone or characterization to do more than give color his arguments which are always backed up with examples and sensible comparisons. When discussing scientific particularities, such as brain structures and experimental procedures, he is explicit without getting bogged down in jargon, minutia or interminable lists. All sources are clearly cited. I personally believe that anyone who takes morality and questions of social good seriously is obligated to read this book.

Founding the Science of maximizing human welbeing

Seems to me that morality is the set of tools provided by biological and cultural evolution to manage cooperation within our social groups. Since our social groups are now larger and more dangerous than ever before we certainly need to refine those tools. I don't care if the idea that maximizing human wellbeing can be defined as right in a philosophical sense. Obviously we need to make a science of maximizing wellbeing and working out moral rules around that regardless of the should and oughts that come out of the current tool kit. It also seems that Harris hits quite a few nails on the head in this book. I can understand his frustration with the irrationality of religion but would like to see him recognize and acknowledge the useful tools that it provides, as well as highlighting the very real problems it creates.

wow

I mean come on how do I even how do I even review this thing this was the best book I could imagine Sam could have written at the time yeah

You have no idea.

Ever thought about right and wrong before?

Not like this.

Sam offers us a guide to rational morality. You should listen to it.

Enlightening!

An invaluable book to me in thinking on the topic of morality. I am convinced by the point that it is possible and necessary to invest in a science of morality and the overwhelming positive implications it might have for humanity in the future.

Best Harris book

Without a doubt Harris's best work. By that I mean that it shed the most light on his positions.