Free Will Absolutely Does Exist with Dr. Kevin Mitchell
Feb 14, 2024
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Dr. Kevin Mitchell, a neuroscientist and author of "Free Agents: How Evolution Gave Us Free Will," joins Adam Conover to discuss the existence of free will. They explore misconceptions surrounding free will, the challenges posed by determinism, the complexity of organismic control, and the unpredictability of complex systems. The speakers also delve into the concept of a God's eye view, the implications of free will on human behavior, and the practicality of decision-making in everyday life.
Decision-making involves weighing various factors and using stored knowledge to guide choices.
The brain builds a model of the world and uses past experiences to inform decision-making.
Free will is not an all-or-nothing phenomenon, but individuals have degrees of freedom that allow for rational control over behavior.
Deep dives
The Complexity of Decision-Making
Decision-making involves complex processes and considerations, including goals, past experiences, and current circumstances. It's not simply a matter of determinism or random behavior. The brain processes incomplete and ambiguous information to make choices, weighing various factors and using stored knowledge to guide decisions. The variability in neural activity and the inherent uncertainty contribute to the flexibility and adaptability of decision-making processes.
The Role of Organization and Cognition
Organisms have control systems that allow them to sense and react to the environment while maintaining their own organization and survival. From simple organisms reacting to immediate stimuli to complex organisms with advanced cognition, the level of control and decision-making increases. The brain builds a model of the world, recognizes objects, and uses past experiences to inform behavioral choices. This deepening agency is not simplistic stimulus-response, but reflects the system's ability to integrate information and respond flexibly to multiple cues and goals.
Indeterminacy and Unpredictability
Indeterminacy and unpredictability are inherent at both quantum and classical levels. Quantum physics demonstrates that even the low-level laws of physics do not determine a single outcome, but rather probabilistic possibilities. At the classical level, the sheer complexity of systems and the sensitivity to initial conditions make predictions challenging and uncertain. The limitations of defining states with infinite precision and the incompleteness of information further contribute to the variability and unpredictability in decision-making processes.
The Complexity of Determinism
Determinism rests on a set of assumptions, including the ability to define a system with infinite precision. However, in practice, this level of precision is unattainable, and the finite information available in the universe limits determinism. The physical organization and cognitive processes of living organisms introduce causal power, as decisions are influenced by context, goals, and reasoning. While absolute freedom and determinism are extreme positions, the reality lies in the intricate interplay between various levels of organization, information, and computation.
Degrees of Freedom and Rational Control over Behavior
Kevin Mitchell explores the concept of free will and argues that it is not an all-or-nothing phenomenon. Instead, he suggests that individuals have degrees of freedom that allow them to exercise rational control over their behavior. He emphasizes that the future is open, providing potential for choices and decisions. Mitchell acknowledges the impact of factors such as biology, environment, and mental states on an individual's freedom of choice, pointing out that circumstances like addiction or poverty can limit one's degrees of freedom. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing these degrees of freedom in practical terms, such as in legal systems and everyday social interactions.
The Importance of Framing and Context in the Free Will Debate
Adam Conover and Kevin Mitchell discuss the complexities of the free will debate and the limitations of human intuition in understanding abstract concepts. They draw parallels to other philosophical dilemmas, such as the mind-body problem, and highlight the challenges of grasping counterintuitive scientific concepts like quantum physics. They reflect on the practical implications of the free will debate, including moral judgments and legal systems. They argue that framing and context play a crucial role in understanding and addressing complex philosophical questions. They emphasize the need for a nuanced approach that acknowledges both the limitations and the pragmatic significance of free will in human decision-making.
Is free will a scientific fact? Dr. Kevin Mitchell, neuroscientist and the author of Free Agents: How Evolution Gave Us Free Will, certainly thinks so. While some, like recent guest Robert Sapolsky, argue that biology and physics can explain away free will, Kevin begs to differ. Join Adam and Kevin in this episode as they dive into how evolution paved the way for free will and unravel the common misconceptions surrounding the "I" that makes choices. Find Kevin's book at at factuallypod.com/books
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