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Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais

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

Oct 18, 2023
01:27:53
Snipd AI
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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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Our decisions and choices are heavily influenced by external factors such as smell and hunger, challenging the notion of free will.
  • Prenatal conditions, particularly socioeconomic status, can impact brain development and subsequently influence decision-making abilities.

Deep dives

Influence of external factors on decision-making

Our decisions and choices are heavily influenced by external factors, such as the smell of a room or the level of hunger. Research has shown that the smell of garbage in a room can make people more socially conservative, while the smell of freshly baked cookies can make people more generous. Additionally, hunger can influence parole decisions made by judges, with those who have recently eaten being more likely to grant parole. These findings demonstrate that our choices are not solely determined by our own agency, but are influenced by various external factors.

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