Noam Chomsky undresses Sam Harris: Stop “pretending to have a rational discussion”

[Jefferson23]

The new atheist tries to "engineer a public conversation" about terrorism and humiliates himself in the process
AlterNet Staff, AlterNet

May 5, 2015

The popular atheist and torture-supporter Sam Harris recently tried to “engineer a public conversation” with radical linguist Noam Chomsky “about the ethics of war, terrorism, state surveillance, and related topics.” Harris shared the exchange publicly, chalking it up as an “unpleasant and fruitless encounter.”

Readers might disagree.



April 26, 2015
From: Sam Harris
To: Noam Chomsky

Noam —

I reached out to you indirectly through Lawrence Krauss and Johann Hari and was planning to leave it at that, but a reader has now sent me a copy of an email exchange in which you were quite dismissive of the prospect of having a “debate” with me. So I just wanted to clarify that, although I think we might disagree substantially about a few things, I am far more interested in exploring these disagreements, and clarifying any misunderstandings, than in having a conventional debate.

If you’d rather not have a public conversation with me, that’s fine. I can only say that we have many, many readers in common who would like to see us attempt to find some common ground. The fact that you have called me “a religious fanatic” who “worships the religion of the state” makes me think that there are a few misconceptions I could clear up. And many readers insist that I am similarly off-the-mark where your views are concerned.

In any case, my offer stands, if you change your mind.

Best,
Sam



April 26, 2015
From: Noam Chomsky
To: Sam Harris

Perhaps I have some misconceptions about you. Most of what I’ve read of yours is material that has been sent to me about my alleged views, which is completely false. I don’t see any point in a public debate about misreadings. If there are things you’d like to explore privately, fine. But with sources.

in full: http://www.salon.com/2015/05/05/noam_chomsky_undresses_sam_harris_stop_pretending_to_have_a_rational_discussion_partner/

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

1. Why do atheists threaten believers?

For the record I was disgusted by HArris's views on Islam, but other than that

and if he supports torture, fuck that

but somehow I think that he is an atheist is at the crux of most criticism about him

[Jefferson23]

2. Supporting torture and his views on Islam are bad enough. Does he threaten atheists?

I honestly don't know..faith seems kind of like an insurance policy and you don't appreciate
it when someone tries to fool around with your premiums.

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

3. I was being sarcastic, atheism threatens the hell out of believers, they even did a study

on it that was on here DU somewhere.

[Jefferson23]

4. Ah ok, I think what I said is true for some believers, just have no idea what percentage.

I have wondered when we will have an elected official who feels comfortable
saying, I'm an atheist. Hopefully sooner than later.

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

5. I hate it when any of them say "And God Bless America" hey, guess what, I dont know if

i ever heard Bernie say that, have you?

[Jefferson23]

7. I have no idea. If he did, it would be in line with the majority who do when they

become president...yet I don't know when that all began.

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

8. I think Thom talked about this today and it all began in the 50's

because of the idiots who were skeered of commies.

[Jefferson23]

10. Fear of being labeled a commie...interesting, thanks. n/t

[Joe Chi Minh]

13. There are intellectually-deleterious consequences to being a rabid atheist,

as Mr Harris has found out, albeit in the judgment of a more sober atheist.

Being a legend in his own lunch-time among similarly rabid, immature atheists, it hadn't occurred to Harris that Chomsky had nothing to gain from a public discussion with him, while giving him a risibly-exaggerated credibilty with the public.

A discussion with another, serious, atheist intellectual, such as Alvin Pantinga, were he as interested in geopolitics, might have been another matter.

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

15. How can you be a rabid atheist, can you rabidly not believe in leprechauns?

[Joe Chi Minh]

16. Strange to relate, there are not that many people who do believe in leprechauns.

And of that number there would be few, I dare say, who would be rabidly religious about it.

Militant atheists/secular fundamentalists, however, exhibit the same ferocious passion about their belief in the non-existence of God, as Christian fundamentalists in the literal truth of every phrase in the Bible. And that is what Chomsky was adverting to. In any case, Chomsky is in a different ball-park. He belongs to the world. Harris glories in a small subculture and just think it's the world.

Alvin Plantinga and Thomas Nagel, however, are distinguished, atheist philosophers who take theism and its teleological implications very seriously. Why don't you try to?

[struggle4progress]

14. Chomsky is an atheist IIRC

[Gregorian]

6. Lost me at "radical linguist Noam Chomsky". If by radical they mean sane and intelligent, then yes.

But I digress.

[Jefferson23]

9. He is radical compared to what is considered main stream..main stream can be lethal

for peoples health. So good for him, the radical and brilliant man that he is.

[Gregorian]

11. I know. It's so foreign to me since I don't expose myself to the craziness of the MSM

But he actually isn't radical at all. This is why I am cheering Bernie Sanders on. He is like a long lost Chomsky brother. Backs up his statements with facts; is careful about what he says; isn't self absorbed. I remember Laugh-in. Those were the days.

But I'm digressing again.

[Jefferson23]

12. I am so relieved that Bernie is running, very much so. Main stream thought can be as

lethal as the main stream media..Patriot Act comes to mind, but that is merely one
of many.

[oberliner]

17. Chomsky comes off as a pompous jackass

Harris tries to be civil and engage in a philosophical discussion and Chomsky can't even be bothered with the being civil part.