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Sam Harris

Recommended Books

Samuel Harris is an American author, philosopher, neuroscientist, and podcast host. His work touches on a wide range of topics, including rationality, religion, ethics, free will, neuroscience, meditation, philosophy of mind, politics, terrorism, and artificial intelligence
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Waking Up book cover
Waking Up
A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion
Sam Harris - 2014-09-09
Goodreads Rating
Discover the scientific and contemplative approach to spirituality in this groundbreaking meditation guide. Written by neuroscientist Sam Harris, explore how paying attention to the present moment can shape the quality of your life, and uncover important truths found in historical figures like Jesus, Buddha, Lao Tzu, and more. Harris argues that there's more to understanding reality than science, backed by his expertise in philosophy and skepticism. Part memoir, part exploration of spirituality, Waking Up is a unique and informative read.
Sam Harris
2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
I suspect many of you want recommendations on books about meditation and spiritual experience. There’s no book out there that is free of the superstition and religiosity you tend to get with books aboutBuddhism or Advaita Vedanta, the Hindu teachings of non-duality. I can’t really recommend those books without caveat. I wrote the book that I think needed to exist, “Waking Up,” which was my last book. I am reluctant to include my own book in a list of books everyone should read, however. But there was a reason why I wrote that book, because there’s really no book I could point rational people, students of science, critics of religious mumbo jumbo, with a clear conscience.      source
Superintelligence book cover
Superintelligence
Paths, Dangers, Strategies
Nick Bostrom - 2014-09-03
Goodreads Rating
"Superintelligence" explores the possible future where machines surpass human intelligence and asks whether they will save or destroy us. Nick Bostrom lays out the foundation for understanding the fate of humanity and the implications of creating a powerful superintelligence beyond our control. As we hold the power to make the first move, can we engineer a controlled detonation? This profoundly ambitious and original book breaks down difficult intellectual terrain and offers a reconceptualization of the essential task of our time.
Sam Harris
2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
There’s another work of philosophy here. Sort of philosophy/science that I’ve been greatly influenced by of late.The philosopher, Nick Bostrom, wrote a book called “Superintelligence,” which has impressed many people for the thoroughness with which he has argued that we have a serious problem looming with respect to the birth of intelligent machines.      source
Hitch-22 book cover
Hitch-22
A Memoir
Christopher Hitchens - 2010-01-01
Goodreads Rating
Explore the fascinating life of a man who has been a citizen of two nations, a socialist and a supporter of war, a foreign correspondent in dangerous places, and a legendary lover of literature and alcohol. Follow the story of a fervent atheist raised as a Christian, and learn how his mother's Jewish heritage was revealed to him after her suicide. Discover the compelling tale of Christopher Hitchens - a man who saw all sides of an argument, and believed that the personal is political.
Sam Harris
2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
If you haven’t read Christopher Hitchens, you should. He was a brilliant writer and also a brilliant speaker. You can get the benefit of both his voice and his writing if you listen to his audiobooks, the ones he read himself. “God is NotGreat,” and “Hitch-22” are two of those. I don’t know if he read any of the others. But it’s great listening.      source
Stumbling on Happiness book cover
Stumbling on Happiness
Daniel Gilbert - 2007-03-20 (first published in 2006)
Goodreads Rating
Explore the mysteries of the human mind and discover the misguided ways we predict our own happiness in this accessible and witty book. Harvard psychologist Daniel Gilbert illuminates the illusions of foresight and imagination that skew our perception of the future and lead us to misjudge our satisfactions. Drawing on research from psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, and economics, Gilbert uncovers the secrets of human imagination and our ability to anticipate happiness. Don't miss out on this fascinating read that sheds light on the inner workings of our minds.
Sam Harris
2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
There’s a lot to be said for having kids and that really is not a rejoinder to the research that suggests that people are made, for a very long time, reliably less happy as parents. You can find this in Daniel Gilbert’s work on effective forecasting, which he summarised in a book “Stumbling upon happiness,” which is also a good book which I recommend.      source
God Is Not Great book cover
God Is Not Great
How Religion Poisons Everything
Christopher Hitchens - 2007-01-01
Goodreads Rating
This manifesto explores the role of religion in our lives, providing a thought-provoking critique of major religious texts. The author argues that religion is a man-made wish, causing dangerous repression and distortion, and advocates for a more secular life based on science and reason. An eloquent and powerful read for believers, atheists, and those uncertain about religion's impact. A must-read for anyone seeking a thought-provoking critique of religion.
Sam Harris
2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
If you haven’t read Christopher Hitchens, you should. He was a brilliant writer and also a brilliant speaker. You can get the benefit of both his voice and his writing if you listen to his audiobooks, the ones he read himself. “God is NotGreat,” and “Hitch-22” are two of those. I don’t know if he read any of the others. But it’s great listening.      source
Machete Season book cover
Machete Season
Jean Hatzfeld - 2006-04-18 (first published in 2003)
Goodreads Rating
Machete Season delves into the horrific genocide that took place in Rwanda in 1994, where 800,000 people were brutally murdered by their own neighbors. Journalist Jean Hatzfeld interviewed 10 perpetrators of these mass killings years later, revealing shocking and extraordinary insights. This book is a vital read to better comprehend the atrocious events that took place in Rwanda and to become a more conscientious individual.
Sam Harris
2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
If you want to see what it’s like when things go about as wrong as they can go, read “Machete Season,” which is a short book about the Rwandan genocide that is, if I recall correctly, entirely borne of interviews with some of the main perpetrators of this genocide. So not merely the people who were swinging the machetes, but the people who were running those gangs and enforcing people’s membership therein.They invite you in there and they give you the full tour. It is uncanny that circumstances can come together culturally, neurophysiologically and otherwise so as to produce this kind of behaviour again with a clear conscience. So it is a short book and a very sobering one worth reading, if you can stomach that sort of thing.      source
The Last Word book cover
The Last Word
Thomas Nagel - 2001-11-01 (first published in 1996)
Goodreads Rating
This philosophical book by a highly regarded author tackles the issue of subjectivism and relativism in reasoning. The author argues that reason must be universal and based on objective principles. He refutes claims that relativism and subjectivism are harmless intellectual fads, showing how these beliefs can deflect arguments and make public discourse unproductive. Through systematic rebuttals in language, logic, science, and ethics, the author sets a new standard in this important debate. A must-read for anyone interested in the philosophy of reasoning.
Sam Harris
2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
Nagle is a very fine writer, a very clear. Just as a style of communication, I think he’s worth going to school on. I would recommend you read his little book, “The Last Word,” which champions rationality in a very compelling way.      source
The Anatomy of Disgust book cover
The Anatomy of Disgust
William Ian Miller - 1998-10-01 (first published in 1997)
Goodreads Rating
Explore the complicated relationship between humans and their basic life processes with this captivating book. From eating and excreting to fornicating, decaying, and dying, the author delves into how disgust can extend beyond the physical realm and occupy a crucial space in social hierarchy. Discover how contempt and disgust can play political roles and the important role they play in creating boundaries and maintaining social order. With insightful discussions about ambivalence and our attempts to control the chaotic nature of life, this book creates a fascinating, dangerous, and magical world that is sure to enthrall readers.
Sam Harris
2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
There’s a writer – William Ian Miller –who I think is unfairly neglected. He writes some fascinating books. Several have been on negative emotions. One book is entitled “Humiliation,” which was a great read. Just on the phenomenon of being humiliated and differentiating it from embarrassment and other similar emotions. He also wrote a book on disgust called “The Anatomy of Disgust,” which is also fun.These are very interdisciplinary books. He is a lawyer, I believe or a professor of law. But he goes deep into the relevant sociology and these are cool books.      source
The Flight of the Garuda book cover
The Flight of the Garuda
The Dzogchen Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism
Keith Dowman - 1994-09-01
Goodreads Rating
"Discover the essence of Dzogchen teachings through the poetic and poignant songs of the itinerant yogi Shabkar in Flight of the Garuda. Accompanied by translations of four other seminal Dzogchen texts, this book brings readers into direct communion with the most subtle nature of experience and the unity of samsara in nirvana. Perfect for Buddhist practitioners seeking sustenance and a deeper understanding of the Dzogchen view."
Sam Harris
2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
There’s one book called The Flight of the Garuda, which I think is especially beautiful and wise.And among the Hindus who teach Advaita Vedanta, the non-dual teachings of yogic meditation that really just talks about pure consciousness and the illusion of the self – don’t be confused about the assertion of the existence of the big Self, capital S. They’re just talking about awareness in that case.      source
Reasons and Persons by Derek Parfit
Behave by Robert M. Sapolsky
Our Final Invention by James Barrat
The Beginning of Infinity by David Deutsch
On Having No Head by Douglas Edison Harding
Humiliation by William Ian Miller
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
Mortal Questions by Thomas Nagel
I Am That by Nisargadatta Maharaj
A History of Western Philosophy by Bertrand Russell
The Qur'an by M. A. S. Abdel Haleem