Parallax cover image

Parallax

The Parallax View #106 - Re: Sapolsky

Oct 26, 2023
Tom and Andrew discuss determinism vs free will, nostalgia for a top-down worldview, religiosity among hyper-rationalists, the limitations of science and religion, transcendental experiences, and reflections on podcasting and artistic choices.
49:02

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • There is room for free will and choice, despite the influence of previous experiences, genetics, and brain activity.
  • The rejection of enlightenment values and rise of fundamentalist thinking undermine progress and individual agency.

Deep dives

The Absurdity of Absolute Determinism

The podcast episode delves into the ideas of absolute determinism proposed by Robert Sapolsky, who claims that there is no free will. This viewpoint argues that all human behavior is completely determined by previous experiences, genetics, and brain activity. However, the hosts highlight the limitations of this perspective, emphasizing that while much of our behavior may be influenced by these factors, there is still room for free will and choice. They reject the absolutist notion that all actions are predetermined and explore the importance of emergence and novelty in human experience.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode