Sam Harris is here offering a substantial amount of money to anyone who can show a flaw in the philosophy of ‘The Moral Landscape’ in 1000 word or less, or at least the best attempt.
More accurately, he is “offering a substantial amount of money to anyone who can” convince him to publicly acknowledge that there is a “flaw in the philosophy of ‘The Moral Landscape’ in 1000 word or less.” This is quite a different feat from merely finding a flaw.
Up to $20,000 is on offer, although that’s only if you change his mind. Whilst we know that this is very difficult, note how few people offer large sums of money for the privelage of being disproven.
I’m not so sure this is a wise decision if you are trying to improve your epistemic rationality. What he has just done, is to give himself a $10,000 reason not to change his mind.
What he has just done, is to give himself a $10,000 reason not to change his mind.
Maybe. But how much is $10000 to Sam Harris? And how much credit would he get for publicly changing his mind in such a way that costs him $10000? And if he did so, he might be getting an excuse to market another book on morality in the bargain.
It looks like he’s having a third party judge the results, but I can’t tell since it’s only a tweet and isn’t explicit about whether or not the reward is determined by the third party. He tweeted:
“I am happy to say that Russell Blackford has agreed to judge the essays, pick the winner, and evaluate my response.”
More accurately, he is “offering a substantial amount of money to anyone who can” convince him to publicly acknowledge that there is a “flaw in the philosophy of ‘The Moral Landscape’ in 1000 word or less.” This is quite a different feat from merely finding a flaw.
I’m not so sure this is a wise decision if you are trying to improve your epistemic rationality. What he has just done, is to give himself a $10,000 reason not to change his mind.
Maybe. But how much is $10000 to Sam Harris? And how much credit would he get for publicly changing his mind in such a way that costs him $10000? And if he did so, he might be getting an excuse to market another book on morality in the bargain.
It looks like he’s having a third party judge the results, but I can’t tell since it’s only a tweet and isn’t explicit about whether or not the reward is determined by the third party. He tweeted:
“I am happy to say that Russell Blackford has agreed to judge the essays, pick the winner, and evaluate my response.”
This is for the best essay, not for the main prize.
If true, this is good news for the sanity of Sam Harris, although the original post showed no indication that this would be the case.