Morality Debate: Craig vs. Harris

William Lane Craig vs. Sam Harris Debate

“Is Good from God?”
That was the topic of the debate between Christian apologist and philosopher William Lane Craig and atheist Sam Harris at Notre Dame Thu April 7, 7-9 pm.

Craig gave solid arguments for God being the source of morality. Harris failed to refute them, and his arguments were mostly irrelevant to the debate issue. Harris defined “moral” as that which maximizes happiness and well-being. Craig pointed out with examples that this is an inherently confusing and contradictory “standard” and a useless definition for morality.

Despite being on Craig’s side of the issue, I tried to judge objectively. It appeared to me that Craig won hands down (in the sense of making better, unrefuted arguments and refuting his opponent’s arguments), but you can judge for yourself from the material linked below.

Links to the debate:
William Lane Craig vs. Sam Harris Debate Audio – mp3 audio file of the debate.
William Lane Craig vs. Sam Harris Debate Video – 9 YouTube video segments comprising the debate

Links to reviews of the debate:
Wintery Knight’s preview of Craig-Harris debate – background information on the debaters and the issue

Randy Everist’s review of Craig-Harris debate

Vox Popoli’s review of Craig-Harris debate – quite critical of Harris’ performance

J.W. Wartick’s review of Craig-Harris debate

Wintery Knight’s review of Craig-Harris debate – a humorous summary (particularly of Harris) in outline form of the main points of each section of the debate. The humor zeros in on important points and highlights weaknesses in arguments.

Here’s a review on the Debunking Christianity site by a non-Christian and former student of Craig admitting Craig won but saying (naturally) that Harris had better arguments:
John Loftus’ review of Craig-Harris debate

Soli Deo Gloria.

©William T. Pelletier, Ph.D.
“contending earnestly for the faith” (Jude 1:3)
Friday April 8, 2011 A.D.

Read my March 2011 Bible-Science newspaper column
The Genesis Code.

We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
(2 Corinthians 10:5)