StarTalk Radio Do We Have Free Will? with Robert Sapolsky
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Mar 12, 2024 
Explore the concept of free will vs. predetermination through discussions on quantum reasons, religious trauma, influences on decision-making, blood glucose levels, societal impact, boundaries of free will, and the interconnectedness of culture and biology.
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Free Will's Societal Harm
- Believing in free will is detrimental because it creates a false sense of control.
- This justifies treating people differently based on circumstances they didn't choose.
Hidden Influences on Choices
- Even simple choices are influenced by a cascade of factors, from genetics to upbringing.
- Our biology interacts with our environment, shaping our preferences.
Early Life Impacts
- A mother's stress during pregnancy can impact a child's dopamine neuron development.
- By age five, socioeconomic status affects frontal cortex development, influencing impulse control.