The Eye of Nature: A Conversation with Richard Dawkins (Episode #382)

Sam Harris speaks with Richard Dawkins about his new book “The Genetic Book of the Dead”, the genome as a palimpsest, what scientists of the future may do with genetic information, genotypes and phenotypes, embryology and epigenetics, why the Lamarckian theory of acquired characteristics couldn't be true, how environmental selection pressure works, why evolution is hard to think about, human dependence on material culture, the future of genetic enhancement of human beings, viral DNA, symbiotic bacteria, AI and the future of scholarship, resurrecting extinct species, the problem of free speech in the UK, the problem of political Islam and antisemitism in the UK, reflections on Dan Dennett, and other topics. Richard Dawkins is an evolutionary biologist and a best-selling author. He is celebrated globally for his unwavering critique of religion and his commitment to critical thinking. His books include “The Ancestor’s Tale,” “The Selfish Gene,” “The Blind Watchmaker,” “Climbing Mount Improbable,” “Unweaving the Rainbow,” “A Devil’s Chaplain,” “The God Delusion,” “The Greatest Show on Earth,” “The Magic of Reality,” his two-part autobiography “An Appetite for Wonder” and “Brief Candle in the Dark,” and “Outgrowing God: A Beginner’s Guide.” His final book tour, “An Evening with Richard Dawkins,” is currently underway. Website: richarddawkinstour.com Twitter: @RichardDawkins September 6, 2024 SUBSCRIBE to gain access to all full-length episodes of the podcast at https://samharris.org/subscribe/ Subscribe to the YT channel: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=samharrisorg Follow Making Sense on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MakingSenseHQ Follow Sam on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Samharrisorg/ Follow Sam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samharrisorg/ For more information about Sam Harris: https://www.samharris.org