Sep 3 2012: Just FYI, the word that the subtitler didn't understand in the English captions (stated as "unclear" at around 1m35s) is "NICU" (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit).
Mar 29 2010: I couldn't disagree more Bill. Morality, irrespective of being genetic or not, is absurdly evolutionarily advantageous. Evolution is not amoral, not is it goal-less, and your poor understanding of it might probably be marring your judgment.
Harris is more than absolutely right to think the way he does. What IS is inevitably shaped by our notions of what OUGHT TO BE, and science has been, for thousands of years, changing our perceptions of the latter. We do not lament the end of the pre-cambrian or the onset of the ice age, but knowing that it has happened is more than relevant in understanding what our future (which is far less unkowable than you portray it) holds.
But seeing as you are one of those people who still uses evolution in if-clauses, I can perfectly see where you are coming from.
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A comment on Talk: Timothy Prestero: Design for people, not awards
A comment on Talk: Timothy Prestero: Design for people, not awards
A reply on Talk: Sam Harris: Science can answer moral questions
Harris is more than absolutely right to think the way he does. What IS is inevitably shaped by our notions of what OUGHT TO BE, and science has been, for thousands of years, changing our perceptions of the latter. We do not lament the end of the pre-cambrian or the onset of the ice age, but knowing that it has happened is more than relevant in understanding what our future (which is far less unkowable than you portray it) holds.
But seeing as you are one of those people who still uses evolution in if-clauses, I can perfectly see where you are coming from.