#338 — The Sin of Moral Equivalence | Making Sense with Sam Harris

Intro

In this episode of “Making Sense with Sam Harris,” Sam Harris delves into recent events in Israel and the clash between Western civilization and Islam. He explores the concept of moral equivalence and the differing attitudes towards violence and human life in different cultures. Harris calls for a wider war of ideas to combat confusion about jihadism and emphasizes the need to recognize the ethical differences between Israel and its enemies.

Main Takeaways

The Clash of Cultures

• There is no possibility of living in peace with jihadists, as we are perpetually at war with them.
• Some cultures harbor very different attitudes about violence and the value of human life.
• Not every group has the same ethical norms governing the use of violence.
• Israel remains a lonely outpost of civilized ethics in the Middle East.

Moral Equivalence Fallacy

• There is no moral equivalence between Israel and its enemies.
• Some cultures revel in war crimes, while others find such barbarism revolting.
• Denying Israeli culture’s superiority in its attitude toward violence denies moral progress.
• Conscientious individuals must recognize the lack of moral equivalence between Israel and its enemies.

Ethical Differences

• Some groups use human shields, strategically putting non-combatants in the line of fire.
• Hamas fires rockets from sites calculated to create carnage if the Israelis returned fire.
• Israel warns people to evacuate buildings before bombing them.
• The intentional massacre of civilians for maximizing horror is different from collateral damage.

Summary

The Clash of Cultures

Sam Harris highlights the clash between Western civilization and Islam, emphasizing the perpetual state of war with jihadists. He points out the stark differences in attitudes towards violence and human life, with some cultures harboring beliefs that differ greatly from Western ethical norms. In this context, Israel stands out as a beacon of civilized ethics in the Middle East.

Moral Equivalence Fallacy

Harris debunks the notion of moral equivalence between Israel and its enemies. He highlights the stark contrast between cultures that revel in war crimes and those that find such acts revolting. Denying the superiority of Israeli culture in its attitude toward violence denies the possibility of moral progress. Harris urges conscientious individuals to recognize this lack of moral equivalence.

Ethical Differences

Harris delves into the ethical differences between Israel and its enemies. Some groups use human shields, intentionally placing non-combatants in harm’s way, while others prioritize the protection of innocent lives. He highlights Hamas’s tactic of firing rockets from sites designed to cause civilian casualties if Israel retaliates, contrasting it with Israel’s practice of warning people to evacuate targeted buildings. Harris emphasizes the distinction between collateral damage and the intentional massacre of civilians.

Conclusion

Sam Harris’s discussion sheds light on the clash of cultures between Western civilization and Islam, particularly in the context of recent events in Israel. He challenges the moral equivalence fallacy and emphasizes the ethical differences between Israel and its enemies. Harris calls for a wider war of ideas to combat confusion about jihadism and encourages recognizing the progress made in Israeli culture’s attitude toward violence. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for fostering peace and combating extremism.