The book, The Moral Landscape is essential moral philosophic reading for those interested in politics, society, or political philosophy. But I would like to focus on the very concept of the moral landscape; it is wholly commendable. The creator, prominent athiest Sammual Harris, conceived this argument for universal truth and effectively puts the last nail in the coffin of moral relativism (my biggest problem with communitarianism).
Harris asks the reader to imagine a landscape of peaks and ditches for moral and ethical questions. Peaks in this landscape would represent the most moral or ethical solutions, troughs and ditches would represent the most detestable moral solutions.
Visualizing the moral world in this way allows there to be definite right and wrong answers as Plato believed, and multiple right and wrong answers to moral questions as Aristotle believed. Knowing your own moral conviction isn't the only one yet still being able to stand by it resolutely is hugely empowering to citizens and politicians. I don't agree with all of Samual Harris' ideas, particularly his aggressive stance against religion. Nonetheless, the moral landscape is a brilliant feat of imagination and deserves the highest regard.
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