The insight is about embracing the complexity and beauty of life existing simultaneously. It highlights how understanding the scientific explanation behind a phenomenon, such as a gazelle's leap or love for one's spouse, does not diminish the awe and wonder these experiences bring. The speaker reflects on how the beauty of watching a gazelle leap in East Africa can be appreciated for a brief moment before delving into the biomechanics of the act, demonstrating that both perspectives coexist. Similarly, the speaker mentions the scientific aspect of love, attributing it to vasopressin receptors in the brain, all while acknowledging the emotional depth and connection felt towards their spouse. The insight emphasizes the coexistence of scientific reasoning and emotional appreciation, showcasing that both facets contribute to the richness and complexity of human experiences.
Do we have free will? Do we have a choice in what we do? Philosophers and theologians have debated these questions for centuries; Robert Sapolsky answered them when he was 14. Free will, he concluded, simply does not exist.
Robert is now in his mid-sixties. He has degrees from Harvard and Rockefeller University; he won a MacArthur “genius” award; and he’s a professor at Stanford, where he holds joint appointments in biology, neurology, and neurosurgery. But despite how much time has passed and how long his CV has grown, he never lost his youthful fascination with free will — or our lack thereof — so he decided to write a book about it. It’s called “Determined,” and in addition to assembling a formidable case against free will, Robert makes the intriguing argument that if we can abandon our illusion of volition, we can build a more humane world.
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