Popularizing atheistic ideology, Sam Harris, among other things, in his works raises the issue of separating the interests of church and state. Is it possible? With a PhD in philosophy in neuroscience, he criticizes religion from a position of scientific skepticism. Revealing its true essence, calls for freedom of religion, proves the necessity and accessibility of public criticism of church dogmas.
Who is Sam Harris?
Seriously declared himself with the book "The End of Faith", which he began to write after the acts of terror in the United States in 2001. For this work in 2005 he received a literary award. The book was in the lead in the rating for more than 30 weeks. Received a PhD from a prestigious university. One of the directions of the dissertation was the study of areas of the cerebral cortex using magnetic resonance at crucial moments in human decision making. The influence of factors was studied in determining judgments and motivations for action on various issues, including those related to faith and its absence.
Being the author of literary and journalistic works on philosophy and religion, he sharply speaks in them about the need to revise approaches to morality, faith, the theory of lies, freedom of expression and thinking,Islamic radicalism and terrorism. Sam Harris is the co-founder of the Project Mind Foundation. He lectures at prestigious universities. Appears on television in documentary projects, actively discusses with famous religious figures, responds to criticism of his books.
Life position
Believes that it is no longer possible to delay and it is time to openly, freely and reasonably start discussing religion so that it does not become an obstacle to the development of scientific progress. Harris grew up without being forced to believe in God. He does not hide the fact that, as a student, he had experience of drugs affecting his psyche. Sam Harris notes that by taking ecstasy, he was able to experience "epiphanies."
Did martial arts in college. After the first year of university, he left for India to join the spiritual practice of meditation. I tried various techniques under the supervision of Buddhist and Hindu teachers. He believes that it is possible to get "enlightenment of the mind" without the influence of narcotic drugs, and he tried to achieve this by experimenting on himself. After 11 years, he returned to the university, graduated, becoming a scientific philosopher with a doctorate.
Biography
Sam Harris is now 49 years old. He was born in Los Angeles in April 1967. Grew up in a family of Berkeley and Susan Harris. His father is an actor, and his mother is a producer and creator of a television series (comedy). In college, he was seriously engaged in martial arts and even was a mentor in a group. He entered Stanford University and graduated with a break in his studies for 11 years. Bachelor of Philosophy since 2000.
What does Sam Harris say about his personal life? Books and biography after their release are closely related. The atheist philosopher does not like to talk about family values, referring to security considerations in an age of intolerance. Criticizing the connection between religious beliefs and terrorism in his works, he himself risks becoming a target of fanatics and exposing his loved ones to blows. Married since 2004. His wife, Annaka, is a literature editor and co-founder of the Project Mind foundation, founded to spread knowledge about the surrounding society for good purposes. The couple has two daughters in marriage.
Sam Harris: books
The most significant and fundamental was his debut work. The tragic events of 2001 in the United States prompted her to write it. What is The End of Faith about?
Sam Harris in it tries to analyze the "fight" of religion with the progressive mind of a changing modern society. As arguments, he cites historical parallels, focusing on events when blind and boundless faith led to evil and disasters. Openly calls on society to reject the possibility of active interference by the church and organized religion in general in the affairs of states and world politics.
After numerous criticisms, he tried to convey his idea and defend his ideology in "Letter to a Christian Nation" (2006). After four years of controversy and discussion, his Moral Landscape (2010) is published. In this work, the author tries to conveythe message that only science can elucidate the complex issues of moral values and their impact on the well-being of the individual and society as a whole.
In his next work, a short essay published in 2011, "Lies" ("Falsehood"), Harris discusses the origins and nature of this vice. In 2012, another small documentary about Free Will is released. At the moment, the list of author's publications is completed by his manual-guide ("Awakening", 2014) on the preservation of spirituality without the participation of religion.
Criticism
Repeatedly defended his ideas and worldview, proving the groundlessness of accusations of intolerance and hatred. Sam Harris was condemned for trying to justify the use of torture (jurisprudence) in special cases and as an exception to the rule. His opponents are not satisfied with the author's desire to present and explain the problems of the science of moral values in a simplified form.
Harris' dissenting opinion about the psychology of radical Islamists and terrorists who go to death for the sake of faith also causes a wave of misunderstanding and discontent. Criticized for defining the concept of "religious fanaticism". For his active position, he is ranked among the "heralds of the Apocalypse." Many also argue that there is no new information in his works, and the mentioned historical facts are simply presented in a new atheistic vision of the essence of events distorted by the author.
Support
His books are popular, full houses gather to listen to lectures, discussions on television raiseratings of programs where Sam Harris is present. "Lies", his short essay, was published in a separate edition. He is also supported by his associates. Even critics find rational grain in his texts.
It is hard to argue with the clear and obvious issues of faith that have been overlooked for centuries and brought to the surface by Sam Harris. In his works, he puts the question squarely and calls for an answer from those who consider it appropriate to thank God for the pleasant everyday little things. This is especially true at the same time when innocent children born in a different faith, a society with different moral values and ideals, suffer and die in terrible agony.
