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The Rational View podcast with Dr. Al Scott
What does science say about determinism and free will?
Sep 16, 2023
Famous philosopher Bertrand Russell joins Dr. Al Scott to explore determinism, free will, and their connections to physics, neuroscience, and AI. They discuss the illusion of free will, the mechanistic nature of the universe, and the implications for consciousness and decision-making. They also delve into quantum mechanics and its role in the debate on moral responsibility. Join the conversation and support the podcast!
22:29
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Quick takeaways
- Quantum mechanics challenges the notion of determinism by introducing randomness and uncertainty in the universe.
- Neuroscience experiments suggest that free will may be an illusion, as physical processes predict decisions before conscious awareness.
Deep dives
Determinism in the Universe
Physics shows that the universe is largely mechanistic and appeared deterministic until the discovery of quantum mechanics. Quantum mechanics introduced randomness and uncertainty, challenging the notion of determinism. While quantum events may introduce randomness, most macroscopic processes are still mechanistically determined, except those influenced by quantum collapse. This creates discomfort as it challenges the idea of free will and a separate consciousness controlling our actions.
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