EconTalk Robert Sapolsky on Determinism, Free Will, and Responsibility
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Oct 23, 2023 
Robert Sapolsky, a renowned neuroscientist and Stanford professor, dives into the intriguing interplay between determinism and free will. He argues that factors like genetic background and environment shape our behavior and decision-making, challenging traditional notions of accountability. The discussion reveals how even subtle environmental cues, like smells, can impact our beliefs and actions. Sapolsky encourages a compassionate reevaluation of societal structures and moral responsibility, emphasizing that understanding determinism may lead to a more empathetic approach to individual circumstances.
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Determinism's Scope
- Human behavior is influenced by a continuous chain of events, from seconds to millennia prior.
- This seamless interaction of biology and environment leaves no room for free will.
Smells and Behavior
- Political views can shift when a bad smell is present, correlating sensory disgust and moral disgust.
- Chocolate chip cookie smells increase generosity in economic games, highlighting unconscious environmental influences.
Fetal Environment
- A fetus's brain growth rate is affected by the mother's socioeconomic status, demonstrable through neuroimaging.
- Lower socioeconomic status correlates with higher stress hormone exposure, impacting brain development.
