Quote:
Originally Posted by sebastian_dangerfield
Harris lived in India and Nepal and studied and practiced with notable Buddhists. I don’t know what languages he speaks.
To your point more broadly, I think Harris is uniquely lucid and inquisitive. When he questioned Murray, he dismantled some of Murray’s points using science rather than insisting Murray was morally repugnant for even addressing the third rail issues he has. That’s a much more satisfying conversation than just calling Murray names. He’s enlightening listeners in that regard. He’s also banishing the dim sorts who don’t grasp the science and just like to call people racists, sexists, phobes, etc.
On Islam, however, Harris is rigid. And I think noting that it is the “problem religion” of the moment without explaining the geopolitical reasons for that is disingenuous and preempts necessary debate.
Harris is a much needed thinker. But like any thinker, you have to assess him issue by issue. Assessing Harris as an “identity” is worthless.
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I probably shouldn't have charged Harris with as much ignorance of Buddhism, I'm too used to dealing with him on Islam. Maybe he's done more of the real work there. I'll let you know when I read my friends book that comes out next month. On Islam, Harris really just hasn't done the work.
