05.08.10
Harris vs Kant
Sam Harris, positivist, and arrogant
I was a little unfair to Harris, and my criticism is only of the celebrity effect that can make idiocy seem rational, and influence a huge peanut gallery.
My last remark solves the problem: Harris is going to put his views in writing, without consulting the literature. This is in circle-squarer range.
It is worth, more ironically, looking at Kant’s project here, which is not based on neuroscience, but which did brilliantly try to bring the issues of ethics within the range of ‘reason’. Seeing what Kant said and where, according to some critics, he went wrong will tell you everything you need to know about Harris’ false ambition.
I may be wrong, for, as noted, he is going to put this nonsense, no doubt, in writing.