EconTalk Free Will Is Real (with Kevin Mitchell)
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Dec 15, 2025 
Kevin Mitchell, a neuroscientist and author of 'Free Agents', dives into the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and free will. He argues that we're not just programmed characters but proactive agents capable of making meaningful choices. Mitchell explores how habits can enhance our decision-making and emphasizes the role of emotions like guilt and shame in shaping character. He also discusses the evolutionary roots of agency, advocating for a view of freedom that's nuanced rather than absolutist.
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Player Versus NPC Framing
- The player vs. NPC metaphor highlights the worry that humans might just be executing prewritten code rather than acting for reasons.
- Kevin Mitchell uses it to frame the central puzzle about agency versus being an automaton.
Watching A Son Play Triggered the Question
- Kevin describes watching his son play a video game and noticing the contrast between player-driven goals and NPC scripted behavior.
- The moment sparked his thinking about whether humans are agents or automatons.
Confabulation From Brain Stimulation
- Kevin recounts brain stimulation and neurological cases where patients confabulate reasons for actions.
- He warns against over-extrapolating from such cases to generalize that conscious reasons are always epiphenomenal.
