“Everything from the maintenance of civilization to the moral progress of our species depends on a series of successful conversations.”—Sam Harris

Since 2014, Sam Harris—neuroscientist, philosopher, and best-selling author—has been exploring some of the most important questions about the human mind, society, and current events on his podcast, Making Sense. With more than one hundred million downloads, these discussions have clearly hit a nerve, frequently walking a tightrope where either host or guest—and sometimes both—lose their footing, but always in the quest of a greater understanding of the world we live in. For Harris, honest and frank conversation, no matter how difficult, is the only path beyond scientific ignorance, political tribalism, and personal delusion.

This book includes a dozen of the best conversations from Making Sense, on topics that range from the nature of consciousness and free will to politics and extremism, existential risk, and the far future of humanity. Together they shine a light on what it means to “make sense” in the modern world.