Into the Impossible With Brian Keating

The Taboo Topic Sam Harris Won't Touch

Feb 17, 2026
A heated reconsideration of a long conversation with Sam Harris about slavery in scripture and whether that challenges a benevolent God. A close look at the Hebrew word eved and how biblical servitude differs from American chattel slavery. Debate over dismissing centuries of rabbinic scholarship and whether intellectual confidence can slip into blind spots. Discussion of psychedelics’ role in shaping public intellectuals.
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ANECDOTE

Long Interview Cut Short Over Slavery Debate

  • Brian Keating recounts his 3.5-hour interview with Sam Harris that ended abruptly over a debate about slavery in the Bible and Talmud.
  • Keating frames the cutoff as revealing a blind spot in Harris's approach to religion and scholarship.
INSIGHT

Slavery Used As Argument Against God

  • Keating summarizes Sam Harris's claim that the existence of slavery disproves a benevolent God.
  • He challenges that claim by arguing an omniscient author's absence of certain content would be more decisive than moral laws alone.
INSIGHT

Hebrew 'Eved' Is Not Chattel Slavery

  • Keating explains the Hebrew term eved (servant) has broader meanings including 'God's servant' as applied to Moses.
  • He argues this biblical servitude differs fundamentally from American chattel slavery.
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