Sam Harris: Mindfulness vs. Happiness Part 1 with Lewis Howes

Questioning Doctrine

Sam Harris challenges the relevance of ancient religious doctrines in today's world, arguing that they often anchor us to outdated conversations. He suggests that if a sixth grader were to travel back in time, they would be considered a savant due to their modern knowledge, highlighting the gap between past and present understanding 1. Harris points out that religious texts claim inerrancy, yet this claim is not unique to any one religion, as seen in both the Quran and the Bible. He notes, "The amazing thing is that every Christian looks at the Quran and finds it completely unpersuasive, and every Muslim returns the favor with respect to Christianity."

The amazing thing is that every Christian looks at the Quran and finds it completely unpersuasive, and every Muslim returns the favor with respect to Christianity.

--- Sam Harris

This mutual skepticism underscores the subjective nature of religious belief 2.

   

Power of Belief

Harris delves into the profound impact of belief systems on human behavior, illustrating how deeply held beliefs can lead to extreme actions. He describes how a mother might celebrate her son's martyrdom due to her belief in paradise, showcasing the insidious power of belief 3. Harris emphasizes that the real danger lies not in inherently bad people, but in good people committing harmful acts under the influence of divisive beliefs. He states, "The most concerning thing about our world is not that there are a lot of bad people doing bad things. It's a lot of good people doing bad things under the sway of unfounded and dangerous and divisive beliefs."

The most concerning thing about our world is not that there are a lot of bad people doing bad things. It's a lot of good people doing bad things under the sway of unfounded and dangerous and divisive beliefs.

--- Sam Harris

This highlights the potential for beliefs to shape societal norms and actions 4.