Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais

Is There Free Will? The Unsettling Science Behind Our Everyday Decisions | Dr. Robert Sapolsky

Oct 18, 2023

Dr. Robert Sapolsky, an expert in the science behind our everyday decisions, challenges the concept of free will and argues that our actions are driven by factors beyond our control. He explores the influence of biology, environment, and intent on decision making. The podcast also discusses the impact of factors like fatigue, hunger, and hormones on our choices, and emphasizes compassion towards neurological conditions. It explores the concept of free will's effect on joy and happiness, determinism and personal agency, and the role of external influences on decision making.

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Introduction

00:00 • 5min

The Illusion of Free Will

05:00 • 11min

Sponsor Ads and Book Announcement

15:46 • 3min

The Influence on Decision Making

18:24 • 17min

Exploring the Concept of Free Will and the Difficulty in Changing Political Positions

34:58 • 4min

Factors influencing decision-making

38:53 • 19min

Foundational nutrition and wearable technology

57:45 • 4min

The Impact of Free Will on Joy and Happiness

01:01:45 • 9min

Determinism and Free Will

01:10:34 • 20min

Admiring Dr. Albert Bandora and Spreading Wisdom

01:30:20 • 5min

Expressing Enjoyment, Book Availability, and Call to Support

01:35:29 • 3min

In a world where choices seem endless, could it be that our 'free will' is nothing more than an illusion?

When it comes to things like choosing a morning run over an extra hour of sleep, opting for an apple instead of that enticing pint of ice cream, or quitting your job on a whim…

…What's truly guiding these decisions? Is it willpower, biology, environment, or perhaps a unique strength of character we've built over time?

Or… could it be something else entirely, something beyond our control?

Here's where our guest, Dr. Robert Sapolsky - a renowned Professor of Biology, Neurology and Neurosurgery at Stanford University - offers us a slightly unsettling, yet eye-opening, perspective.

He suggests that every decision we make - from the podcasts we tune into, to judges making a case verdict, to choosing our life partner - isn't shaped by any sort of conscious control or free will. Instead, he believes our actions are driven by factors beyond our grasp and influence.

Now, Sapolsky doesn't just challenge our perceptions of free will — he presents a compelling theory that could very well dismantle widely accepted beliefs in this arena.

So, whether you're a leader interested in innovative ways to think about decision-making or someone craving deeply intellectual and exciting insights for your next dinner party, this conversation promises to radically reshape your perspective.

And I can't wait for you to dive in!

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