

FREE WILL: Are We Better Off Without It?
10 snips Jan 18, 2024
Robert Sapolsky, a professor at Stanford and recipient of the MacArthur 'genius' award, discusses the illusion of free will and his book 'Determined.' He explores how the abandonment of volition can lead to a more humane world. The podcast examines the evolution of punishment, understanding human behavior, criminal justice reform, and the importance of discouraging bad behavior. It also delves into confirmation bias, finding existential joy, and the relationship between empathy, science, and free will.
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Introduction
00:00 • 4min
The Evolution of Punishment and Personal Struggles
04:17 • 13min
Evolution of Understanding Human Behavior
17:41 • 18min
Introducing Brown Table Talk Podcast and Rethinking the Criminal Justice System
35:41 • 4min
The Importance of Understanding and Discouraging Bad Behavior
39:18 • 19min
Exploring Confirmation Bias and Reflecting on Bias
57:55 • 4min
The Beauty of Existential Joy and Finding Meaning
01:01:37 • 2min
The Relationship Between Empathy, Science, and Free Will
01:03:27 • 3min