Is Sam Harris a Legitimate Neuroscientist?

Correct. Keep in mind that I made this statement before knowing that, as you correctly pointed out, that he did publish in 2016. If he is still doing these “part time” research, then he is a scientist, just not a prolific one. Perhaps the term part-time scientist is the most apt description.

They are retired scientists.

Just to be clear, when I respond to the negative on this statement:

I do not mean that when you are brewing coffee in the morning you are not a scientist. I mean that someone who has finished their projects and then move on to say, science popularizing is not a scientist.

I am against the fetishizing of scientists in society. A scientist is a job like a car mechanic is. All my answers to the questions you ask can be answered just by substituting “car mechanic” into “scientist”.

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