Making Sense with Sam Harris

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Join neuroscientist, philosopher, and five-time New York Times best-selling author Sam Harris as he explores important and controversial questions about the mind, society, current events, moral philosophy, religion, and rationality—with an overarching focus on how a growing understanding of ourselves and the world is changing our sense of how we should live. Sam is also the creator of the Waking Up app. Combining Sam’s decades of mindfulness practice, profound wisdom from varied philosophical and contemplative traditions, and a commitment to a secular, scientific worldview, Waking Up is a resource for anyone interested in living a more examined, fulfilling life—and a new operating system for the mind. Waking Up offers free subscriptions to anyone who can’t afford one, and donates a minimum of 10% of profits to the most effective charities around the world. To learn more, please go to WakingUp.com. Sam Harris received a degree in philosophy from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from UCLA.

Recent Episodes

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Recent Reviews

Starred_Night

Six months of war

While normally this podcast is a source of insight, your assessment of Israel's annihilation of the aid workers was premature at least. If not an assassination, it reads more of a society who has forgotten anything except retaliation. It's like an abused child growing up to become an abuser. Everyone loses. Your short-sightedness surprised me. Keep an open mind- like you teach us to do. The team had established a “deconfliction” plan ahead of time with Israeli forces, so the military would know when they would travel and what route they would take. They also wore GPS trackers to make certain their location was clear. The first missile struck one of the armored cars as it drove along the coastal road. Aid workers fled the damaged vehicle for the other armored vehicle. minutes later, the second vehicle was hit and yet people injured and alive moved to this third vehicle until it too was struck.
JZhukovsky

Unbiased, thoughtful analysis

Think you Sam and for your thoughtful and analytical podcast. I will subscribe.
RapaciousRapscallion

Overly simplistic takes on important matters

Harris has lost the script and is now making sweeping statements about important current events which are devoid of any historical context and/or outright false. It’s hard to take him seriously as an arbiter of logic and reason when he lacks such qualities in his commentary on current events.
moazmatar

Anti-Palestinian racism

The speaker is clearly an apologist for israeli apartheid regime. Spewing anti-Palestine hatred along with rabid hatred of islam in general. It’s quite amazing how could an atheist support a religious ethinonationalist society?! Could be a tribal thing !!
Cristinas Itunes

Gross

The misinformation paired with the racist views of the host are disgusting. He completely and utterly lacks any humanity. In addition to the fact he fails to go through the effort to research history and only focuses on post Oct 7th and nothing prior.
ercanijo

Islamophobia is ok genocide is not

I have always defended the rationality of Sam Harris. He has been a magnificent and lucid critic of religion. I feel like he has lost his north. He is not seeing the obvious genocide Israel is doing. He is blinded by tribal perceptions. I understand, he is a Jew; but Israel is literally perpetrating a racist genocide to gain more land. It is disgusting an Harris is blind to it.
Heartandbile

Moral clarity

Thank you, Sam, for excoriating moral clarity in a time of willful ignorance, extreme naïveté and sheer malice. Don’t always agree with Sam but appreciate the mental tonic of discussions that wrestle hard with ideas and themes swallowed too often by too many on unquestioned premises and assumptions. Wish there were more voices out there like him.
drfreckledfox

Moral intelligence?

The “accidental killing of aid workers”?! This is insanity. “War” is fighting between two states, which is not what is currently happening in Gaza. This is lunacy, maybe stop touching this topic if you can’t be unbiased. Your critical thinking and so called journalism on this subject is seriously lacking.
JD1295223

William MacAskill

This was very painful to listen to. Two intelligent, successful men making excuses for the actions of SBF for 90 minutes is just intolerable. So tone deaf and really sad. I’ve been a listener to Sam (Harris) for many years and I’ve disagreed with him on many things throughout those years, but this gross exercise is making me want to cancel my membership…
Textdgh

Arrogant and Damaged

I certainly am no Trump fan and wish the Republicans would have chosen differently, but Harris is absolutely unhinged about Trump and is not introspective whatsoever as he thinks he has it all figured out. What a damaged man.
dbsbsvdb

Rory

I only came here to listen to this man embarras himself all over again by inviting Rory Stewart back and, boy, did it deliver! You’re an intellectual lightweight, Sam. It’s ok. Many people are.
sdkitergirl

Bret Stephens

That was a wonderful episode. I hope he comes on again. Thank you.
DrSuave

Completely lost it..

Two stars as earlier this used to be good.. but now, just bigotry and opinionated views.. Either a lot of monologue or badgering guests with his ideas.. worst now if getting a guest back to apologize to Sam.
ergeneman

Disappointed

I used to love this podcast. Until it went to Mr.Harris’s head and he started thinking he can take on politics and international events. It was sad to hear the nakedness of his biases to say the least. All that contemplation and to end up here?
PabloViquez

Anti-islam

I was a fan and I knew that Sam has strong opinions on Islam. However now he has an anti-Islam episode every other day and it’s just unbearable.
jdelara

What a sloppy thinker

I subscribed and listened to several episodes. The more I listen, the more I realize that what appears to be intelligent conversation is actually masking Sam’s very sloppy thinking.
PhyllisWhitedick

Zeihan!

Was a fan until the episode with Zeihan despite being a big fan of Peter’s work. Demonizing the right while completely failing to acknowledge the oversights, missteps, and failures of the left/current administration is idiotic and only furthers divisive thinking. The Left wants to destroy the institutions of the right as much as the Right wants to abolish the left. The moral compass has disappeared for each side. If there was ever such a thing. Maybe stay away from politics, Sam. Love quite a bit of your content but, as someone who attempts not to align too much with the right or left, your commentary is too far left.
PT Barnum

Speaking of idiots…

… We have Tucker Carlson. With that missive I just renewed mymembership.
The Falsifiable Podcast

John Gray’s Totalitarianism

Not only would John Gray’s philosophy create totalitarianism, his conversational style is totalitarian in that he never lets Harris speak. His superficial argument against Popper’s piecemeal social engineering is another case in point.
Liberaljoe

Sam “colorblind” Harris

Right wing mascot Coleman Hughes? Really Sam? I understand you are mad about the antisemitic views on the far left. We all are. Are the recent right wing tuned episode a result of that? Come to your senses man. You need some meditation. I know an app
Anfkiran31

Stick to science

Do not discuss politics, you are super biased and it’s annoying.
NedLudd2024

5 Myths about Israel

I began listening to this pod about 6 months ago, and appreciated most episodes even if I didn’t entirely agree. But Harris’s recent episode about the Israeli genocide of Palestinians crossed a line and lost absolutely all credibility & this listener. I am actively discouraging folks from listening to this man.
thankful 'n glad

#351

How insane it is to insinuate that Islamists want peace? When they follow the Quran literally they are violently favoring death to all non-Muslims. The Quran is based on lies. Thank goodness for kind hearted family oriented Muslims who do not follow the Quran. Check out CIRA Int’l on YouTube. The host is AlFadi.
iCentaur.com

Race

Race is complex. To narrow cast the issue into a US vs THEM or a kumbaya assimilation mantra is futile. The first step in fixing race relations is acknowledging the destruction of numerous thriving black communities from post reconstruction to the 1960’s. Then reviving the empowerment values that made those communities thrive. Only then can we all move on to progress and peace.
Annieisokaymmkay

Badge of Honor

If you are rating this podcast low because he has a different view than you, YOU are in the wrong. Sam, thank you for standing your ground on logic, as you have always done. Wear the negative reviews as a badge of honor. These people simply prove your point that those unable to look at each individual situation with an open mind will ultimately falter. Looking for confirmation to your bias? This is not the podcast for you.
gmhigg

Sam is losing it

Use to be great, now seems to have legit lost his mind.
kcrz4

A Voice of Reason

Grateful for your voice when reason seems to be lost in so many facets of our lives. Thank you for making the pod publicly available without subscription.
TinaDangelo

Grotesque

He pompously glosses over Palestinian deaths and yet will detail the horrors of an Israeli death. He will gloss over Israeli atrocities and will hyperbolize the Palestinian wrongdoings. He doesn’t even for balance dare to present the Palestinian or anti-zionist point of view, even when offered by highly articulate and educated Jews. It’s grotesque & disappointing. I’ll take Ezra Klein & Gabor/Daniel Mate for a more enlightened, self-aware, and less biased discussion. Sam lacks nuance & flexibility of mind on this subject, indeed lacks courage to consider different views/realities, & in the end serves as just another mouthpiece for Israel.
Ducati hyper guy

Disingenuous about Israel crimes

While Mr Harris has generally informative podcasts his apologist approach to Israel’s murder of Palestinian women and children is sickening. Netanyahu - a proven supporter of Hamas both politically and financially- is removed from Mr Harris’ storyline as it does not support his narrative. Netanyahu supported Hamas to stop a two-state solution. Period. It worked. Palestinian leaders are also to blame for the lack of progress on a two-state solution. Israel’s population is roughly 20% European Jews -hardly deserving of stealing Palestinian land and homes. But that is defended. The U.S. support led by AIPAC - a fifth column within our borders - has Congress and the presidency in their back pockets leading to horrible foreign policies for America but great for Israel. Israel should be treated like any other country but American interests should always be primary.
bradleahmac

5 Myths about Israel . . .

Long loathing the faux intellectual, Zionist propagandist Sam Harris, I decided to take a bite of this episode as a friend sent it curious of my thoughts. An insufferable 45 minutes of utter garbage: outright lies, deflections, omissions, staggering reductionist racism and more; every single sentence uttered. All in the service of defending “Israel’s” slaughter of over 30k people of Gaza, the majority of them women and children, while starving them and making their land unlivable. To make this episode at all is unconscionable. To do it in such a hushed, cloying, concerned tone is shockingly psychotic. Avoid everything this charlatan has to say at all costs.
big E papa

IDF boot licker

Sam's recent episode on Israel seals his fate as a pro genocide, pro apartheid, racist IDF boot licker. What a clown. "How could Israel be committing genocide in Gaza look at their population growth" Wow good point Sam where were all those people living before being forced into the concentration camp of Gaza? I'll tell you Sam! The vast majority of gazas population is not native to there. They were ethnically cleansed from their land in "Israel" and sent to a tiny strip of completely blockaded land so the beautiful CIVILIZED (Sam loves that word) nation of Israel could be born. Sam hates religious fanatics but if they are white and civilized, I guess he thinks it's fine for them to displace and then systematically starve millions of people!!! What a sane rational person Sam is....
Skydive boy

Z

👎🏾
Petunia Jenkins

Balanced and Fact Driven

It’s not easy to really listen to facts that challenge your POV. Sam presents truth in a clear, concise way that anyone with an open mind should be able to hear. He is not driven by emotion, he is driven by logic, and it is super refreshing in today’s climate.
Lenny allcaa 1985

Pampered college students

In 30 minutes Sam explains the history and reality of this conflict which apparently is either ignored or just simply not addressed by our educators. I ask these ignorant, coddled students who protest so vehemently against Israel if they would be willing to strap on a bomb to themselves in the name of Palestinian justice. I think we know the answer. Thank you Sam and I hope more people listen
Fcd899

Waste of Time

Opinions passed off as truth, trash
Connie. Socialista

Completely out of touch

This man calls himself a scientist and yet does not speak and break things down in a material sense. His sympathizing view for zionism and that “Israel” is fighting a tough war again “jihadist” lacks context and recorded history! Proving that he is just another elitist that views the world as such. So glad I stopped listening a long time ago.
lazebradeb

Excellent

Thought provoking and insightful.
Bas Yisrael

Thank you for your bravery

Thank you for your bravery in explaining Israel’s side here. The world is so biased and uneducated on the topic and you are making a dent.
busterbear2

Shameful

Attempting to justify the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians, many who are children, is simply immoral. Collective punishment is a crime for a reason. Shame on you. You know better.
Lost&not-found

A moral authority

Thanks for your sanity and clarity on the war between Israel and the Jihadists.
tiredofbsproducts

Haters gonna hate - the most brilliant man

One of the most brilliant man of our times. The hateful comments from people who can’t put two logical sentences together are badge of honor.
f1-fan not taken

Thanks for not supporting terrorists

Hamas are terrorists and anyone who supports them are too! Take a good look in the mirror and realize you are just antisemitic
sorenchick

Goodbye

I’ve listen to every episode of Sam’s podcast since inspection. Since October 7th his genocidal rhetoric towards Palestinian population has been heart-wrenching to listen to. Had to stop listening.
Ben’s Take

Out to Lunch on the Human Condition

Another pawn for the status quo. His elitism prevents him from seeing the atrocities committed by Israel, for decades, through American sponsorship. Pure lunacy. For me, the writing was on the wall when he welcomed Gad Saad a few yrs back. To not be able to piece it all together is unbelievable.
Paro8

Good on some topics but he is racist so there’s that

Sam can be thoughtful about some topics and I’ve enjoyed listening to some of his podcasts. But he seems to have totally lost moral clarity with regards to Gaza. He’s called protests “pro Hamas” which is wildly inaccurate. At a time when children are being crushed under rubble and suffering immense pain, he’s focused on talking about radical Islam. Seems radically racist to me.
___tariqb94

Lacks empathy, Empowers hate

A seemingly intelligent man who doesn’t have the awareness to see the hypocrisy of his own elitism and condescension. He is truly unable to connect at a human level to contextualize experiences and values in how we engage with the world. 1 star.
frainch toast

FOS

I used to have some respect for Sam Harris 15-20 years ago when he preached the unilaterally destructive nature of religion. Now he's a self proclaimed eastern guru and a Zionist. I did love the interview with Sean Carroll. Sean sent Sam to preSCHOOL.
AK Moosie

Poor Guy

Poor guy fell hook, line, and sinker for the COVID narrative and hasn’t recovered. Pre 2020 I thought Sam had some credibility, although we didn't agree on everything. Now he’s just another pawn for the establishment.
RedRidingHood18

Such brilliant analysis

In a world that is siloed and refuses to be educated on both sides of every issue Sam brings clarity and logic to intractable problems. Well worth the time.
Wang Chung DD

Ignorant and a dumb man

Sam Harris, the perfect representation of why we are screwed, people like sam, so blindly ignorant that it’s dangerous. Or is Sam getting paid to say the dumb stuff he says?

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