Sam Harris

Sam Harris
Name	Sam Harris
Birth date	9 April 1967
Birth place	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Education	Stanford University (BA), University of California, Los Angeles (PhD)
Occupation	Author, neuroscientist, podcast host
Known for	New Atheism, secularism, meditation, criticism of religion
Spouse	Annaka Harris

Sam Harris is an American author, neuroscientist, and podcast host known for his work on secularism, criticism of religion, and meditation. A prominent figure in the New Atheism movement, he has authored several bestselling books and co-founded the Waking Up meditation app. His work often explores the intersection of science, morality, and philosophy of mind, generating significant public debate.

Early life and education

Born in Los Angeles, he attended Stanford University, where he initially studied English literature. After a prolonged period traveling in Asia and studying meditation with various teachers, including in India and Nepal, he returned to academia. He completed a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Stanford University before earning a Doctor of Philosophy in cognitive neuroscience from the University of California, Los Angeles. His doctoral research, conducted under the supervision of Mark S. Cohen, used functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the neural basis of belief and disbelief.

Career

Harris rose to prominence following the 2004 publication of his first book, which became a New York Times Best Seller. He subsequently authored several more bestselling works, establishing himself as a leading public intellectual. He co-founded the Waking Up app, a platform for secular meditation and spirituality. He also launched the Making Sense podcast, where he engages in long-form conversations with experts like Noam Chomsky, Jordan Peterson, and David Deutsch. His career has spanned writing, public speaking, and digital media, often focusing on topics considered controversial in public discourse.

Philosophical and scientific views

Harris argues that science can and should answer moral questions, a position detailed in his book on morality and critiqued by philosophers like Thomas Nagel. In the debate on free will, he is a proponent of determinism, arguing that the concept of libertarian free will is an illusion incompatible with neuroscience. A vocal critic of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, he contends that religion often justifies harmful practices and obstructs scientific progress. He advocates for a secular approach to spirituality and ethics, emphasizing the potential of meditation and mindfulness, practices he studies through the lens of cognitive science.

Public engagement and controversies

Harris has been a central figure in numerous public debates. His views on Islam have drawn criticism from figures like Glenn Greenwald and Reza Aslan, who accuse him of promoting Islamophobia. His 2006 debate with Rick Warren at the TED Conference highlighted deep divisions on religion and ethics. He has also engaged in heated exchanges with public intellectuals such as Noam Chomsky over U.S. foreign policy and with Ezra Klein over issues of race and intelligence. His association with individuals like Charles Murray and his platforming of controversial ideas on his podcast have further fueled ongoing debates about academic freedom and political correctness.

Personal life

He is married to author and editor Annaka Harris, with whom he has two children. The family resides in Los Angeles. An avid practitioner, he has spent extensive time in meditation retreats, including under the guidance of teachers like Joseph Goldstein. His personal commitment to meditation practice directly informs his professional work on consciousness and secular spirituality.

Works

His bibliography includes several influential nonfiction books. His debut work became an international bestseller and a key text of the New Atheism movement. Subsequent publications have explored neuroethics, free will, lying, and meditation. He is also the host of the long-running Making Sense podcast and a co-creator of the Waking Up app. His written works have been translated into over twenty languages and have been both critically acclaimed and widely debated.

Category:American neuroscientists Category:American atheists Category:American podcasters Category:1967 births Category:Living people