Saturday, September 25, 2010

Should Science Have a Soul? TEDTalks Playlist

This is kind of cool - I wasn't aware the TED folks were putting together themed talks into a single post. Good idea. This is a rather interesting collect of people - Michael Specter, Billy Graham, and Sam Harris.

Should Science Have a Soul? TEDTalks Playlist

Today’s playlist is about the relationship between science and morality. These speakers question whether or not they can and should live in the same space. Their differing and provocative opinions are sure to incite thought, uncertainty, and passion.

If Michael Specter could travel through time, he would travel into the future to witness the marvels of technology and progress that inevitably lay upon the horizon. What he fears is the restriction of science and progress by a morality that believes itself to be superior to proof.


Reverend Billy Graham asserts that despite its good intentions, technology cannot solve all of our problems: namely human evil, human suffering, and death.


Sam Harris believes that scientific reasoning can provide moral compass rooted in fact, and describes the need for a standard universal morality to guarantee human well being.



Here are some other talks you might be interested in that discuss the intersection of science, technology, morality and religion:

We’d love to hear more of your favorite TEDTalks about Science and Morality. Add your suggestions to the comments below, join the conversation on Facebook, or email contact@ted.com with the subject PLAYLIST: SCIENCE & MORALITY. (Jog your memory with the TEDTalks spreadsheet.)

Curator of this playlist: Rachel Tobias


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