David Lawrence - The Case for Free Will (Against the Absurdity of Determinism) - PRE-RELEASE

In 'The Science Delusion', Rupert Sheldrake argues that the current scientific paradigm is based on assumptions that have become dogmatic and limit the scope of scientific inquiry. He challenges ten fundamental dogmas of materialism, such as the belief that all reality is physical, the world is a machine made of dead matter, and consciousness is purely a product of brain activity. Sheldrake proposes that these assumptions should be treated as questions rather than facts and suggests alternative theories, including his concept of 'morphic resonance'. The book aims to open up new possibilities for scientific inquiry and to encourage a more skeptical and enquiring approach to science.

In this book, Sam Harris challenges the traditional separation between scientific facts and human values. He argues that morality can be understood in terms of human and animal well-being, and that science can provide objective answers to moral questions. Harris contends that moral relativism is false and that science can tell us how we ought to live to achieve the greatest well-being. He uses his expertise in philosophy and neuroscience to make a case for a science of morality, emphasizing that moral values should be grounded in empirical facts about what causes people to flourish.

In 'Free Will,' Sam Harris argues that the concept of free will is inherently flawed and incoherent. He contends that our thoughts, intentions, and actions are determined by prior causes outside our conscious control, whether these causes are deterministic or the result of chance. Harris uses examples such as the Cheshire murders to illustrate how even heinous crimes can be seen as the product of uncontrollable experiences and neurological mechanisms, rather than free will. The book challenges readers to reconsider their views on morality, law, and personal responsibility in light of this understanding.