Robert Sapolsky vs Kevin Mitchell: The Biology of Free Will | Episode 15
Nov 18, 2023
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Professors Robert Sapolsky and Kevin Mitchell debate the biology of free will, discussing whether our actions are determined by neural mechanisms or the laws of physics. They explore cognition and decision making in organisms, influences on decision making, the role of subconscious factors, and the problem of moral luck. They also consider revising the justice system and rethinking the death penalty.
Our decisions are influenced by a multitude of factors, challenging the notion of free will based on independent choices.
Conscious control over behavior exists, as seen in cases where individuals can explain their decisions.
While influences shape decision-making, individuals still have some level of responsibility for their actions and the impact on their character over time.
Deep dives
The Influence of Past Factors on Decision Making
Our decisions and actions are influenced by a complex array of factors that stretch back in time, from immediate influences like stress levels and hormone levels to long-term influences like genetics, prenatal environment, and cultural upbringing. These influences shape our brain and cognitive processes, impacting our choices and intentions. While we often perceive our choices as being independent and freely made, the multitude of factors at play demonstrates that our decisions are not free from our history. Additionally, confabulation and biases may lead us to believe we have made a choice without fully understanding the underlying influences. The recognition of these factors challenges the notion of free will based on the ability to explain our choices.
The Role of Conscious Control and Cognitive Processes
The contrast between cases where conscious control is compromised, such as brain damage or the influence of drugs, and instances where individuals can explain their decisions highlights the existence of conscious control over our behavior. While influences might exist outside our awareness, we possess cognitive faculties that allow us to reflect on our reasons, think about our thoughts, deliberate, and make decisions based on past experiences and knowledge. These cognitive processes provide us with the ability to judge our behavior, evaluate outcomes, and adjust our future actions. Although influences and biases can impact our decision-making, our capacity for introspection and reasoning supports the existence of conscious control.
The Complexity of Free Will and Responsibility
While acknowledging the multitude of influences on decision-making, it is crucial to recognize that we still have some level of responsibility for our actions. The notion of moral luck plays a role in understanding that individuals have different constitutions and circumstances that shape their choices. However, this does not negate the presence of personal agency and the cumulative impact of our choices on our character over time. Taking into account the complex interplay of factors, our responsibility lies within the context of the choices we make, the character we develop, and the influence we have on our future actions.
Influence of Prior Factors on Behavior
Our behavior is shaped by a combination of genetic, environmental, and evolutionary factors. While we tend to focus on the small genetic differences between individuals, human nature is largely controlled by evolution and the way our brains develop. The speaker argues that these prior influences collectively determine our behavior, leaving little room for free will. It is impossible to separate our actions from the complex web of influences that have shaped us.
Complexity of Decision-Making and Choices
Decision-making is a complex process influenced by various interconnected factors. The speaker acknowledges that organisms bring their entire history and experiences into the decision-making process, using that information to guide their choices. However, they argue that these decisions are not predetermined by prior causes alone. The speaker emphasizes that decision-making involves balancing conflicting goals, adapting to dynamic and uncertain situations, and utilizing cognitive processes to consider multiple variables. While acknowledging the influence of prior factors, the speaker disagrees with the notion of absolute determinism, asserting that choices involve degrees of freedom within the cognitive system.
Professor Robert Sapolsky is a Professor of Biology, Neurology, and Surgery at Stanford University. He is the author of multiple books, including A Primate’s Memoir, Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, Behave, and Determined. Professor Kevin Mitchell is a Professor of Genetics and Neuroscience at Trinity College Dublin, whose research concerns the relationship between the wiring of the brain and the human faculties. His books include Innate and Free Agents. Today’s debate was about whether the empirical literature in the biological sciences allows us to make progress on the free will debate.
Conversation Outline:
00:00 Introduction 02:28 Opening Statement: Kevin Mitchell 16:26 Opening Statement: Robert Sapolsky 27:32 First Round of Questioning 45:56 Second Round of Questioning 1:04:56 How can we make evolutionary sense of illusory agency? 1:06:13 How can we make sense of our accomplishments if we have no free will? 1:08:21 Comparisons with Dennett and Hofstadter 1:12:28 Closing thoughts
