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Is religion good or bad? (This is a trick question)

1,931,554 views | Kwame Anthony Appiah • TEDSalon NY2014

Plenty of good things are done in the name of religion, and plenty of bad things too. But what is religion, exactly — is it good or bad, in and of itself? Philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah offers a generous, surprising view.

Plenty of good things are done in the name of religion, and plenty of bad things too. But what is religion, exactly — is it good or bad, in and of itself? Philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah offers a generous, surprising view.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

About the speaker

Kwame Anthony Appiah

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Kwame Anthony Appiah is a philosopher, cultural theorist and novelist. His latest book is "The Honor Code," exploring moral revolutions.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.