Into the Impossible With Brian Keating cover image

Into the Impossible With Brian Keating

Why There’s No Such Thing as Free Will w/ Robert Sapolsky (#395)

Feb 18, 2024
Neuroendocrinology researcher and Stanford University professor, Robert Sapolsky, discusses the illusion of free will, consciousness, determinism, ethics, criminal justice reform, and the neuroscience of decision-making in an engaging and thought-provoking conversation.
01:15:05

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Consciousness is not a prerequisite for free will, focus should be on behavior-shaping factors.
  • Punishment should prioritize societal protection over retribution, evolving justice perspectives discussed.

Deep dives

The Illusion of Free Will

Robert Sapolsky explores the concept of free will and argues that it is an illusion. He combines neuroscience, anthropology, quantum physics, chaos theory, and philosophy to support his view.

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