Making Sense with Sam Harris #241 — Final Thoughts on Free Will
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Mar 12, 2021 Dive into a thought-provoking discussion that questions the very fabric of free will. The conversation explores how our choices are influenced by unconscious elements, challenging the notion of individual authorship. Discover the moral implications of realizing free will may be an illusion, which could foster compassion in how we judge others. This exploration nuances our understanding of identity, ethics, and social justice, inviting listeners to reconsider the complex interplay between determinism and desire.
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Free Will and Self
- The feeling of self and free will are two sides of the same coin.
- Sam Harris focuses on deconstructing free will due to its controversial nature.
Assumptions of Free Will
- Free will rests on two assumptions: we were free to act differently in the past and we are the conscious source of our thoughts and actions.
- Harris argues that both assumptions are false.
Causes of Thoughts and Actions
- Our thoughts and actions are caused by events we are not conscious of and didn't create.
- Randomness in brain activity wouldn't equate to free will, but rather to something out of character.