In this episode, celebrated Stanford professor Robert Sapolsky mounts a devastating case against free will.
Do we have free will? Do we have a choice in what we do? Philosophers and theologians have debated these questions for centuries; Robert Sapolsky answered them when he was 14. Free will, he concluded, simply does not exist.
Robert is now in his mid-sixties. He has degrees from Harvard and Rockefeller University; he won a MacArthur “genius” award; and he’s a professor at Stanford, where he holds joint appointments in biology, neurology, and neurosurgery. But despite how much time has passed and how long his CV has grown, he never lost his youthful fascination with free will - or our lack thereof - so he decided to write a book about it. It’s called “Determined,” and in addition to assembling a formidable case against free will, Robert makes the intriguing argument that if we can abandon our illusion of volition, we can build a more humane world.
00:36 🧠 Robert Sapolsky argues against free will, asserting that our behaviors are largely influenced by biology, evolution, and culture.
03:01 🩺 Understanding the human brain has led to explanations for behaviors, reducing the logic behind blaming individuals for bad behavior and promoting empathy and assistance.
05:08 📚 Sapolsky discusses various topics related to biology, behavior, and society, including conditions in the womb, cultural influences, and adverse childhood experiences.
09:30 🤝 Belief in the absence of free will can lead to increased humility, empathy, and understanding of human behavior.
15:15 🧬 Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) have a profound impact on adult outcomes, highlighting the importance of understanding biological and environmental influences on behavior.
50:03 🌍 Robert Sapolsky discusses concerns about the current system, inequality, and privilege in society.
50:57 🧠 He suggests that society can protect itself from dangerous individuals without relying on meritocracy.
53:36 😔 Sapolsky acknowledges his own struggles with depression and how it may have influenced his perspective on reality.
56:45 🤔 People with depression can have a more accurate assessment of certain outcomes, contrasting with their distorted self-view.
-01:02:14 🌟 Sapolsky emphasizes the wonder of being conscious despite understanding the underlying biological mechanisms.
We’re hosting a live taping in New York City on January 31st. Come on by! We’d love to meet you. You can learn more at betaworks.com/events
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