Comments on: Sam Harris’ TED video and the danger of liberal atheist moral absolutism

By: Ravi

Ravi — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:03:32 +0000

I get what Harris thinks we *should* value. I just don’t think he (or anyone) can prove what we *should* value scientifically. Moreover, the belief that you know what we should value, and therefore others are wrong, is what often leads to less, not more human and animal well-being.

By: Kendrick

Kendrick — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:04:18 +0000

It seems to me that you missed the whole point of Harris’ argument. Harris himself covers that conflict of the notion of objective moral values. Carefully watch from around 7:40-13:15. His whole point is that as matured human beings, as a species, we should be coming to a point where we can differentiate between what is ultimately valuable, and what is a matter of mere taste, or preference. In other words, Harris leaves room for differences in value on his “spectrum.” So I am not sure how your argument stands.

By: Ravi

Ravi — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:14:17 +0000

Mattias, that is a fair and logical point. I suppose I would say that this ideal scenario, where we engage in a war of liberation that ends and leads to a period of freedom and peace, is the exception rather than the rule. As such, I think the idea of a just war should be approached with caution (e.g. what we are trying to do in Libya) rather than certainty (e.g. our all out effort in Iraq). But that’s just my opinion and certainly people can disagree about how to promote well-being overall. It is my opinion that Harris’ absolutist style of thinking is likely to lead to less well-being overall.

By: Mattias

Mattias — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 21:23:06 +0000

This “…leads to more human suffering, not less, as people fight great wars to enforce their vision of morality on others.” isn’t entirely true, is it? =)
If a certain vision on morality in fact DOES promote more well being and less suffering, isn’t it our DUTY to enforce it? Even a great war will lead to more well being in the long run. A war is forgotten in a generation or two, 2000 years of oppression isn’t forgotten until… well a generation or two after the war that ended it!

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Wed, 22 Sep 2010 16:22:02 +0000

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