Dela Cruz, Jonathan A.

BSAIS 2C

Evaluation Week 6

Sam Harris, a neuroscientist, modern-day philosopher, and best-selling author, said:

“Human well-being is not a random phenomenon. It depends on many factors – ranging

from genetics and neurobiology to sociology and economics. But clearly, there are
scientific truths to be known about how we can flourish in this world. Whenever we can
have an impact on the well-being of others, questions of morality apply.”

Give your reflection on the relationship of scientific and technological progress and human
flourishing based on the statement of Sam Harris.

The discipline of behavior analysis is ideally suited to contribute to this task, as Harris
explains the need for improvement in methods for achieving change in moral behavior.
Since certain authors has laid the foundations of applied behavior analysis, the application
of behavioral approaches to socially significant problems has become a pillar of behavior
analysis. From the person to the societal level, behavior change has been shown, and
these same concepts could be extended to moral behavior, as defined by Harris, to
encourage universal well-being. There is no other discipline that compares to behavior
analysis in terms of empirical interpretation of behavior and methods for modifying it. If
Harris is right in his claim that science should play a more active role in assessing human
values, then behavior analysts must be included in the discourse.