Argument Quote by Sam Harris
“We can either have a twenty-first-century conversation about morality and the human well-being - a conversation in which we avail ourselves of all scientific insights and philosophical arguments that have accumulated in the last two thousand years of human discourse - or we can confine ourselves to a first-century conversation as it is preserved in the Bible.”
About This Quote
Source Talk: The Moral Landscape, Sam Harris, 2010
The quote contrasts modern, evidence‑based ethics with ancient religious moral frameworks, urging use of science and philosophy for contemporary moral decisions.
In simple terms: Use science and philosophy for modern morality instead of only biblical teachings.
Key Takeaway
Embrace evidence‑based moral reasoning.
Themes
ethics
science
religion
human well‑being
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
debate
When to use this quote
- policy making
- medical ethics
- environmental debates
- education curricula
Key Concepts
philosophy
empiricism
secularism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can scientific insights be integrated with existing cultural values?
- What role should tradition play in modern moral discussions?
A Different Perspective
Religious traditions still shape many people's values and can be a source of community.
![“Moderates in every faith are obliged to loosely interpret (or simply ignore) much of their canons in the interests of living in the modern world. [...] The first thing to observe about the moderate’s retreat from scriptural literalism is that it draws its inspiration not from scripture but from…” quote by Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b44/sam-harris-457_bible_moderates-in-every-faith-are-obliged-to_6967.jpg)
