# The Moral Arc of Science and Reason

**URL:** <https://www.libertarianism.org/podcasts/free-thoughts/the-moral-arc-of-science-and-reason>

**By** Michael Shermer, Aaron Ross Powell, Trevor Burrus

**Published:** February 2, 2015

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Michael Shermer joins us to discuss his newest book, _The Moral Arc: How Science and Reason Lead Humanity toward Truth, Justice, and Freedom_.

This week we're joined by Michael Shermer to talk about his book _The Moral Arc: How Science and Reason Lead Humanity toward Truth, Justice, and Freedom _(2015).

What exactly _is_ science, and how does a belief in science advance culture? How are natural rights related to science? How does Shermer define human flourishing—and how does science and reason help us achieve it? What's the difference between science and pseudoscience, and how can we tell? What, if anything, does government have to do with all this? And lastly, how do scientific beliefs change over time?  
  
**Show Notes and Further Reading**

Michael Shermer, [_The Moral Arc: How Science and Reason Lead Humanity toward Truth, Justice, and Freedom_](http://www.amazon.com/The-Moral-Arc-Science-Humanity/dp/0805096914) (book)

Stephen Greenblatt, [_The Swerve: How the World Became Modern_](http://www.amazon.com/Swerve-How-World-Became-Modern/dp/0393343405/) (book)

Benjamin R. Barber, [_If Mayors Ruled the World: Dysfunctional Nations, Rising Cities_](http://www.amazon.com/If-Mayors-Ruled-World-Dysfunctional/dp/0300209320/) (book)

Sam Harris, [_The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values_](http://www.amazon.com/Moral-Landscape-Science-Determine-Values/dp/143917122X/) (book)

Peter T. Leeson, [_The Invisible Hook: The Hidden Economics of Pirates_](http://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Hook-Hidden-Economics-Pirates/dp/0691150095/) (book)