JRE #410 – Sam Harris

This podcast explores the controversial topic of Islam and its role in modern society, with Sam Harris, a neuroscientist and author, arguing that a double standard exists when it comes to criticizing Islam compared to other religions. Harris contends that Islam, particularly its more traditional and conservative interpretations, poses a serious threat due to its emphasis on holy war, subjugation of infidels, and the punishment of apostasy. He criticizes the “political correctness” and “white guilt” that prevent open dialogue on these issues, arguing that such silence allows dangerous ideologies to flourish. The conversation also delves into the nature of belief, the role of religion in society, and the importance of honesty in human interaction.

Here are some major topics discussed in the podcast:

1. Double Standard in Criticism of Islam:
• Harris argues that it is acceptable to criticize Christianity and other religions freely, but any criticism of Islam is met with accusations of Islamophobia.
• He attributes this double standard to a combination of understandable fears of racism and xenophobia, as well as white guilt and political correctness.
• Harris believes this silence allows extremist ideologies within Islam to thrive unchecked.
• He cites examples like the backlash against Patton Oswald for a joke about Chinese accents and the criticism he received for praising Malala Yousafzai, claiming his praise was a “slur” against Islam.
2. The Dangers of Traditional Islam:
• Harris argues that traditional Islam, particularly its more conservative and extremist interpretations, promotes a worldview that justifies violence, oppression, and intolerance.
• He highlights the doctrine of holy war, the subjugation of infidels, and the punishment of apostasy as evidence of this dangerous ideology.
• He emphasizes that this ideology can lead to real-world harm, including the immiseration of millions and the radicalization of otherwise normal individuals.
• He cites the example of Malala Yousafzai, a young girl shot in the head by the Taliban for wanting to go to school, and argues that her attacker was likely not a psychopath but a normal person who had been radicalized by extremist beliefs.
3. The Power of Belief and Cognitive Dissonance:
• Harris explores the phenomenon of belief formation and how people can hold deeply entrenched beliefs without evidence, particularly when it comes to religion.
• He emphasizes the cognitive dissonance involved in accepting ancient ideologies as the literal word of God, especially in a world with access to vast amounts of information.
• He argues that many people are willing to ignore or downplay the more barbaric aspects of religious texts in order to maintain their beliefs.
• He uses the example of Christians who have Bible quotes tattooed on their bodies despite the prohibition against writing on oneself in the Bible, showcasing how people can selectively interpret religious teachings.
4. The Role of Religion in Society and the Fear of Death:
• Harris explores the role of religion in providing a framework for life, especially in the face of death.
• He argues that belief in paradise, a perfect afterlife, is a powerful coping mechanism for dealing with the inevitability of death.
• He acknowledges that such beliefs can provide comfort, but he also criticizes them for fostering intellectual dishonesty and preventing people from confronting reality.
• He suggests that while religion may have served a purpose in the past, it is no longer necessary and may even be detrimental in a world with access to scientific knowledge and understanding.
5. The Importance of Honesty in Human Interaction:
• Harris argues that honesty is essential for building strong and genuine relationships, both personal and societal.
• He criticizes the use of white lies and other forms of deception, arguing that they erode trust and prevent us from fully understanding ourselves and others.
• He emphasizes that honesty is not just a personal virtue but a societal imperative, and that failing to be honest with ourselves and others can have far-reaching consequences.
• He uses the example of a friend who lied to another friend about her plans, showcasing how even small acts of dishonesty can damage relationships.
6. The Potential of Technology to Enhance Honesty and Transparency:
• Harris discusses the potential of technology, particularly in the areas of surveillance and lie detection, to enhance honesty and transparency in society.
• He acknowledges the potential for misuse of such technology, but he argues that the benefits of increased transparency outweigh the risks.
• He cites examples like the NSA’s mass surveillance program and the use of fMRI to detect deception as evidence of the progress being made in this area.
• He believes that lie detection technology could eventually become as reliable as DNA evidence, revolutionizing the way we conduct legal proceedings and interact with one another.
7. The Complexity of US Foreign Policy and the Role of Espionage:
• Harris explores the complex relationship between the US government and the Muslim world, arguing that US foreign policy has contributed to the rise of extremism.
• He acknowledges the validity of US concerns about terrorism and the need for intelligence gathering, but he argues that the NSA’s mass surveillance program is excessive and counterproductive.
• He believes that the US should focus on covert operations and assassinations of known jihadists rather than large-scale military interventions.
• He also raises the issue of drug trafficking and its potential connection to US foreign policy, citing examples like the CIA’s involvement in the drug trade during the Vietnam War and the presence of US troops guarding poppy fields in Afghanistan.
8. The Nature of Conspiracy Theories and the Importance of Critical Thinking:
• Harris examines the prevalence of conspiracy theories, particularly those surrounding 9/11, and argues that they stem from a desire for certainty and a distrust of authority.
• He criticizes the lack of critical thinking involved in many conspiracy theories, which often rely on selective evidence and ignore contradictory information.
• He emphasizes the importance of separating genuine conspiracies, such as the Northwoods document, from unfounded claims based on speculation and conjecture.
• He argues that while conspiracies do exist, they are not as common or as powerful as conspiracy theorists often claim.
9. The Importance of Martial Arts for Personal Development:
• Harris promotes the practice of martial arts, particularly Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, for its benefits in personal development and self-defense.
• He argues that martial arts training teaches discipline, resilience, and confidence, helping people overcome insecurity and develop a stronger sense of self.
• He contrasts the benefits of grappling-based martial arts like Jiu-Jitsu with the potentially detrimental effects of fantasy-based martial arts that focus on showy techniques without real-world application.
• He emphasizes that the most effective martial arts are those that allow for the development of practical skills that can be applied in real-world situations.

Here are five memorable quotes from the podcast:

“It’s a very dangerous irony in a double standard. It’s really, it’s one of the most disturbing phenomena, I think, to just, to be found on the landscape now.” – Joe Rogan highlights the double standard in how criticism of Islam is treated compared to other religions.

“It’s not extremist Islam. That’s not, I was in a training camp in Afghanistan with 10,000 other lunatics Islam. That is plain vanilla Islam.” – Sam Harris emphasizes that the punishment of apostasy is not an extremist view within Islam, but a core principle of the religion.

“People actually believe that that that a certain book was dictated by the creator of the universe and it has provided a blueprint and a moral framework that many, many people, millions of people believe it’s perfect and unchallengeable for all time.” – Harris highlights the unwavering faith that many people have in religious texts.

“And, I mean, that’s that’s a bullet I think we just have to bite. It’s just that there’s not, you know, at the graveside of a child, the atheist doesn’t have something to say that says, this is not a problem. You know, this is your tears are wasted.” – Harris acknowledges the emotional comfort that religious beliefs can provide in the face of death, while also highlighting the lack of a comparable secular alternative.

“It’s not almost over. It’s totally overwhelming. The sheer numbers. You look at the amount of people in Africa that have AIDS. Look at, you know, the amount of people in in 3rd world countries that are struggling to find food every day. It’s the sheer numbers.” – Joe Rogan expresses the overwhelming nature of global suffering and the difficulty of confronting its scale.