Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal

Free Will, Morality, Responsibility, Intuition | Robert Sapolsky

11 snips
Dec 29, 2023
Robert Sapolsky, a renowned professor and author known for his research on stress and primate behavior, dives into complex themes like free will and morality. He discusses the profound influence of biology and environment on decision-making, urging a rethinking of personal responsibility. Sapolsky debates the implications of chaos theory on ethics and how societal structures shape our moral compass. His insights challenge traditional notions of accountability, promoting a more compassionate understanding of human behavior and actions.
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ANECDOTE

Benjamin the Baboon

  • Robert Sapolsky recounts a story about Benjamin, a baboon he studied.
  • Benjamin, despite being clumsy, formed a connection with Sapolsky when they searched for the troop together.
ANECDOTE

A Cry for Help

  • Sapolsky tells of a juvenile baboon who made a desperate facial expression at him for help.
  • The baboon was about to be attacked, demonstrating interspecies communication, but Sapolsky couldn't intervene.
INSIGHT

Free Will: An Illusion?

  • Sapolsky argues free will is an illusion; our biology and environment, not conscious choice, determine our actions.
  • He believes intent is irrelevant to free will because it arises from factors beyond our control.
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