The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast #224 – Jordan Peterson & Sam Harris
Topics Discussed: Background, The debates, Waking Up , The is/ought problem (1), (Breaking out of) everyday patterns, Experience & Expectations, Evidence & Logic, The is/ought problem (2), The Ecological Approach to Visual Perception, Attention, Carl Rogers, (Dis)satisfaction, Discomfort, Entering meditative states, Being like a mirror, Thoughts & The Self, Suffering, Dreaming, The Self & Psychedelics, Prayer, Organized religion, The postmodern predicament, Sacred texts.
Sam Harris
Sam Harris is an American philosopher, neuroscientist, author, and podcast host. His work touches on a range of topics, including rationality, religion, ethics, free will, neuroscience, meditation, psychedelics, philosophy of mind, politics, terrorism, and artificial intelligence. Harris came to prominence for his criticism of religion, and Islam in particular, and is known as one of the "Four Horsemen" of New Atheism, along with Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Daniel Dennett. Since September 2013, Harris has hosted the Making Sense podcast (originally titled Waking Up), which has a large listenership. In September 2018, Harris released a meditation app, Waking Up with Sam Harris. He was one of the original core members of the so-called "intellectual dark web", although Harris has stated that he does not identify as a part of that group.
Books Mentioned in this Podcast with Jordan Peterson & Sam Harris:
Book Title: The End of Faith – Religion, Terror and The Future of Reason
Author: Sam Harris
Book Title: The Moral Landscape – How Science Can Determine Human Values
Author: Sam Harris
Book Title: Free Will
Author: Sam Harris
Book Title: Lying
Author: Sam Harris
Book Title: Waking Up – A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion
Author: Sam Harris
Book Title: The Blue and Brown Books
Author: Ludwig Wittgenstein
Book Title: The Ecological Approach to Visual Perception
Author: James J. Gibson
Book Title: The Grand Inquisitor
Author: Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Book Title: The Iliad and the Odyssey
Author: Homer
Book Title: The Bible
Book Title: The Brothers Karamazov
Author: Fyodor Dostoevsky
Summary of The Jordan B Peterson Podcast #224 - Sam Harris
In The Jordan B Peterson podcast #224, Jordan Peterson sits down with Sam Harris. Sam is a philosopher, neuroscientist, and author of the book “Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion.” The podcast is a fascinating conversation on a range of topics, including religion, morality, and the nature of consciousness.
Religion and Spirituality
Jordan Peterson and Sam Harris discuss the differences between religion and spirituality. And the role that both play in people’s lives. Harris argues that spirituality is a natural aspect of human experience and that it is possible to have a spiritual life without religion. Peterson, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of religious traditions and argues that they provide a framework for moral guidance and meaning.
The Nature of Consciousness
Jordan Peterson and Sam Harris discuss the nature of consciousness and the mystery of subjective experience. Harris argues that consciousness is the most fundamental aspect of reality, and that it cannot be reduced to the workings of the brain. Peterson acknowledges the mystery of consciousness but emphasizes the importance of scientific inquiry in understanding the nature of the mind.
Morality and Ethics
Jordan Peterson and Sam Harris discuss the foundations of morality and the role of ethics in society. Harris argues that morality is based on objective facts about human well-being and that ethical principles can be derived from these facts. Peterson emphasizes the importance of religious traditions in providing a framework for moral guidance, but also acknowledges the importance of secular ethical systems.
Free Will and Determinism
Jordan Peterson and Sam Harris discuss the question of free will and the challenge posed by determinism. Harris argues that determinism is a fundamental aspect of reality, and that free will is an illusion. Peterson, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of free will in human experience and argues that it is a necessary aspect of moral responsibility.
Science and Religion
Jordan Peterson and Sam Harris discuss the relationship between science and religion, and the potential for conflict between the two. Harris argues that science is the best method for understanding the natural world, while religion is based on superstition and dogma. Peterson, on the other hand, argues that religion provides a framework for understanding the meaning and purpose of life, and that it can coexist with scientific inquiry.
The Importance of Dialogue
Jordan Peterson and Sam Harris discuss the importance of open and honest dialogue, even when people hold opposing views. They acknowledge the challenge of engaging in productive dialogue in today’s polarized political climate, but emphasize the importance of finding common ground and engaging in respectful debate.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Jordan B Peterson podcast #224 with Sam Harris is a fascinating conversation on a range of topics, including religion, morality, and the nature of consciousness. The conversation touches on a number of philosophical questions that have puzzled thinkers for centuries, and offers valuable insights into the nature of human experience. Peterson and Harris’s different perspectives provide a stimulating and thought-provoking dialogue, and the podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in philosophy, spirituality, and the mysteries of the mind.