Intelligence Squared Debate: Free Will is an Illusion
Jan 1, 2024
Join Susan Blackmore, a psychologist and consciousness expert, and Kevin Mitchell, a neuroscientist and geneticist, as they dive into the gripping debate on whether free will truly exists. They explore how consciousness, decision-making, and subconscious influences shape our choices, questioning traditional notions of identity and agency. With insights into the complexities of self, language, and even sports, they advocate for a compassionate understanding of behavior that goes beyond retribution. Prepare for a thought-provoking journey into the nature of human freedom!
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The Free Will Problem
- Free will feels real, as if we control our actions.
- However, a scientific worldview suggests our actions are predetermined by cause and effect.
Free Will as Illusion
- Free will and consciousness are illusions; they are not what they seem.
- Neuroscience reveals the self is constructed in the brain, not a separate entity.
Decision-Making Example
- Susan Blackmore describes deciding whether to join the debate.
- She emphasizes that this decision, like any other, arises from her background, brain, and environment, not free will.
