The Moral Landscape
"The Moral Landscape" is a concept introduced by philosopher Sam Harris, suggesting that moral values can be understood as part of a landscape where some actions lead to greater well-being than others. Just as physical landscapes have peaks and valleys, a moral landscape includes various moral choices and their consequences on human well-being. Harris argues that science can help us determine what actions produce the best outcomes for individuals and societies, bridging the gap between moral reasoning and empirical evidence, thereby suggesting that objective moral truths can exist based on the well-being of conscious beings.
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"The Moral Landscape" is a concept popularized by philosopher Sam Harris, arguing that moral values can be understood scientifically. Harris suggests that human well-being can be measured and that some actions or beliefs can lead to greater happiness or flourishing than others. He contends that ethical decisions can be grounded in facts about human suffering and prosperity, rather than religious or subjective beliefs. In this view, morality is not just about opinions but can be approached like other scientific inquiries, aiming to maximize well-being for individuals and societies.