The Illusion of Free Will

In this podcast episode, neuroscientist and author Robert Sapolsky discusses his book 'Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will.' Sapolsky argues that there is no free will and that human behavior is preordained and determined by a combination of biological, genetic, and environmental factors. He presents evidence from various fields, including neuroscience and social science, to support his viewpoint. Sapolsky explores examples such as how sensory stimuli like smells can influence our political views, how the socioeconomic status of a fetus's mother can affect brain development, and how cultural factors shape behaviors like honor systems. He acknowledges the discomfort and resistance people may have to accepting the notion of determinism and reflects on the implications of this understanding for concepts like regret, blame, and moral responsibility.