Podcasts about life without free will

The director Steven Soderbergh has just released his second film of 2025: the spy thriller "Black Bag," starring Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett. In January 2024, Soderbergh spoke with host Gilbert Cruz about some of the more than 80 books that he read in the previous year. (This episode is a rerun.)Books discussed:"How to Live: A Life of Montaigne," by Sarah Bakewell"Stanley Kubrick's 'The Shining,'" by Lee Unkrich and J.W. Rinzler"Cocktails with George and Martha," by Philip GefterThe work of Donald E. Westlake"Americanah," by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie"Pictures From an Institution," by Randall Jarrell"Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will," by Robert M. Sapolsky Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Wie werden wir in Zukunft arbeiten? Künstliche Intelligenzen und Roboter übernehmen schon jetzt immer mehr Aufgaben und sorgen für Existenzängste, die in die Hände von Populisten spielen. Dabei sollten wir die Zukunft der Arbeit nicht dem Markt überlassen – sie ist eine Frage der politischen Gestaltung, die gerade jetzt couragiert beantwortet werden kann. Arbeit hält Gesellschaften zusammen, sie ist etwas fundamental Menschliches, und die Philosophin Lisa Herzog zeigt, wie sie in digitalen Zeiten gerechter und demokratischer werden kann – für alle, nicht nur für wenige Privilegierte. Aber es gibt auch Schattenseiten: Das Streben nach Erfolg kann in die Überlastung führen, denn es gibt eben nicht nur Spitzenleistungen. Warum aber streben wir sosehr nach Erfolg und Anerkennung und können wir uns eingestehen, dass trotz aller Leistung Erfolg auch immer von Glück und Zufall bestimmt wird? Diese Fragen besprechen Stefan Wally und Carmen Bayer im zweiten Teil des Podcasts. Das Buch "Erfolg. Ein moderner Selbstbetrug. Von der Entzauberung der Leistungsgesellschaft" von Bernd Kramer ist ein idealer Ausgangspunkt für diese Diskussion. Input: Lisa Herzog, Philosophin (Universität Groningen) Shownotes: Buch: Die Rettung der Arbeit I Lisa Herzog: https://www.hanser-literaturverlage.de/buch/lisa-herzog-die-rettung-der-arbeit-9783446262065-t-2832 Buch: Erfolg. Ein moderner Selbstbetrug. Von der Entzauberung der Leistungsgesellschaft I Bernd Kramer: https://www.penguin.de/buecher/bernd-kramer-erfolg-ein-moderner-selbstbetrug/paperback/9783466373079?utm Podcast zum Buch Determined. The Science of Life Without Free Will von Robert Sapolsky: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEojsI7uoc4&list=PLTKqUBCJ9PGFiL8Lr8ZKNV0z0n5QW4Rke&index=1 Sachbuchmagazin ProZukunft: https://www.prozukunft.org/ Foto: © Sylvia Germes

Die großen Religionen sind im Umbruch – in Europa wird dies besonders an der Situation der Kirchen deutlich, aber auch in anderen Teilen der Welt verändern sich die Gefüge religiöser Organisationen. Doch nicht nur große Religionssysteme sind im Wandel, besonders auch die individuelle Spiritualität hat sich durch die religionspluralistischen Gesellschaften verändert. Beide Aspekte führen zu der drängenden Frage, wie die Religionen in der Zukunft aussehen werden. Der Blick auf die empirischen Daten von individueller Spiritualität und organisierten Religionsstrukturen ermöglicht zu verstehen, wie sich Religionen entwickeln könnten. Dabei werden die gegenwärtigen Herausforderungen und Krisen ebenso eine Rolle spielen, wie die Flexibilität der Religionen auf Anfragen an bestehende Macht- und Deutungssysteme sowie Partizipationsmöglichkeiten zu reagieren. Martin Rötting ist Professor for Religious Studies an der Universität Salzburg und hat zu diesem Thema das Buch „Religionen in der Zukunft!?“ verfasst. Im Gespräch mit Stefan Wally berichtet er über die Entwicklungen und stellt Optionen vor, die religiösen Organisationen helfen können, notwendige Veränderungen mutig anzugehen. Im zweiten Teil sprechen Stefan Wally und Carmen Bayer über das Buch "Determined. The Science of Life Without Free Will" von Robert Sapolsky. Sapolsky, ein US-amerikanischer Neurowissenschaftler, Biologe und Autor, kombiniert in seinen Arbeiten biologische, psychologische und soziale Perspektiven und auch auf die Zusammenhänge zwischen Vererbung, Umwelt und Verhalten ein. In seinem aktuellen Buch kommt er zu dem Schluss, dass soetwas wie ein freier Wille nicht exisitiert. Worin er das begründet und was das für Gesellschaften bedeuten könnte, besprechen die beiden Hosts in dieser Folge. Input: Martin Rötting, Religionswissenschaftler, Universität Salzburg Shownotes: Buch: "Religionen der Zukunft" von Martin Rötting: https://eos-verlag.de/religionen-in-der-zukunft/ Buch: "Determined. The Science of Life Without Free Will" von Robert Sapolsky: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/592344/determined-by-robert-m-sapolsky/ Sachbuchmagazin ProZukunft: https://www.prozukunft.org/ Foto (c): privat

One of our great behavioural scientists, the bestselling author of Behave, dives to the depths of the science and the philosophy of decision-making to mount a devastating case against free will, an argument with profound consequences. After listening, ask yourself, what side are you on? Are we indeed the masters of our fate, or is free will nothing more than an illusion? In this week's episode, I sit down with renowned neuroscientist and Stanford professor Dr. Robert Sapolsky to explore the provocative ideas from his groundbreaking book, Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will. Sapolsky argues that our choices—from our morning coffee to major life decisions—are entirely shaped by biology and environment, leaving no room for free will. We dive into the science behind human behaviour, the randomness of life, and the implications of viewing ourselves as “biological machines.” This thought-provoking conversation challenges everything we think we know about accountability, morality, and transformation. Can we truly change? How do we raise children in a world without free will? And could letting go of the notion of free will make the world a more compassionate place? From personal anecdotes about Sapolsky's early questioning of faith and free will to his fascinating insights into human biology and culture, this episode will leave you questioning whether you are truly in control—or just along for the ride.  

According to Google, Dr. Robert Sapolsky is “An American Academic and Neuroscientist. He studied baboons for almost 30 years, starting in the late 1970s and continuing into the early 1990s, spending several months each year observing the same troop in the Serengeti plains of Africa." Coincidently, today is the exact day Dr. Sapolsky's best-selling book was published last year, in October 17th 2023. His book is titled Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will. And, so, as we can tell immediately, Dr. Sapolsky's book invokes what in philosophy is called the puzzle of determinism, also known as the puzzle of free will. So, in this podcast episode, we're going to briefly consider Dr. Sapolsky's Determinism from five (5) points of view. I've named them the following: (1) The Ice Bath Challenge (2) Descartes and Modern Philosophy, (3) The Question of Autonomy, (4) Will power & the UFC, and (5) the social implications of belief in determinism. . Please post your questions or comments on The Philosophemes YouTube Channel. Accessible through this Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/philosophemes . Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/4cM6nzf . The Existentialism Book: http://shepherd.com/book/what-is-existentialism-vol-i . Online Courses (Gumroad) Coming Soon! . Podcast Page: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/the-philosophemes-podcast #philosophy, #UFC, #FrankScalambrino, #determinism, #psychology, #historyofphilosophy, #historyofpsychology, #freewill, #Sapolsky, #philosophypodcast . Some links may be “affiliate links,” which means I may I receive a small commission from your purchase through these links. This helps to support the channel. Thank you. Editorial, educational, and fair use of images. © 2024, Frank Scalambrino, Ph.D. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If everything happens for a reason, and those reasons are beyond our control, maybe we don't have free will after all. Robert Sapolsky, professor of biology and neurology at Stanford University, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss his case against free will, which he says is the logical choice if you look at the ways our lives are shaped by forces that start from our very biology. And we'll hear why, even without this control, we are still bound to be moral and decent humans. His book is “Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will.”

What's the difference between a bar of soap and the stuff we use to clean dishes, laundry and cars, and can you just use any of those in the shower? Adam tries to find out whether the stuff that's fit for baby ducks if good enough for you skin. Darren gives us a review of Determined: The Science of Life Without Free Will by Robert Sapolsky, which asks interesting questions about free will, whether we have it and what the implications are.

Stanford Professor Robert Sapolsky about “Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will”. Then, Tech Nation Health Chief Correspondent Dr. Daniel Kraft talks about how Medical Schools decide what to teach.

Most of us take free will for granted — from the biggest of life decisions to choosing an ice cream flavor, we are generally capable of freely deciding how to think and how to behave without outside influence. But Robert Sapolsky believes our decisions cannot be disentangled from our genetics, environment, and neurobiology. In other words, to him, free will does not exist. Dr. Sapolsky, a neuroscientist and primatologist at Stanford University, is a leading thinker on the biology of stress, human behavior, neurodegenerative diseases, and the science of free will and determinism. He is the author of multiple bestselling books, including Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers (1994), Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst (2017), and Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will (2023). His works have been featured widely in the popular press, from National Geographic to The New York Times. Over the course of our conversation, Dr. Sapolsky presents his arguments against free will, along the way making detours through chaos and complexity theory, philosophy, ethics, and neuroscience. He shows how subtracting free will from the way culture thinks about crime, mental health, and human development have resulted in more humane health, justice, and educational systems. Finally, we contemplate together what human flourishing even means in the context of a life without free will. His ideas have profound implications not just on our society, but also on our understanding of human nature, challenging our perceptions and provoking deep reflection on how we navigate the choices in our lives.In this episode, you'll hear about: 3:08 - How Dr. Sapolsky chose a career straddling both neuroscience and primatology5:04 - The moment when Dr. Sapolsky realized he did not believe humans have free will16:16 - How society becomes more humane when free will is factored out23:29 - The deep implications that free will and determinism could have on criminology 34:13 - How a belief in a lack of free will can negatively affect motivation on a societal scale43:11 - What does human flourishing look like in a world without free will? 48:07 - The best moments in life in which to utilize this understanding of free will Dr. Robert Sapolsky has authored numerous publications, a full bibliography of his works can be found here. Dr. Robert Sapolsky can be found on Instagram at @robert.sapolskyWorks and past episodes discussed:What's Expected of Us by Ted Chiang Episode 79: Transcendence in the Age of Science | Alan Lightman, PhDVisit our website www.TheDoctorsArt.com where you can find transcripts of all episodes.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our show, available for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Copyright The Doctor's Art Podcast 2024

Conventionally, we are taught that evolution implies there is no ultimate purpose to our existence, that life lacks inherent meaning — we are the product of countless intricate molecular and genetic accidents. And to many, evolution leaves little room for, and perhaps even contradicts, the existence of a deity. However, our guest on this episode, Samuel Wilkinson, MD, a professor of psychiatry at Yale University, thinks there is another way to look at evolution. Drawing from an array of disciplines ranging from evolutionary biology to cognitive science, Dr. Wilkinson provides a framework for evolution suggesting not only that there is an overarching purpose to our existence, but what that purpose is. He presents this framework in his 2024 book, Purpose: What Evolution and Human Nature Imply about the Meaning of Our Existence. Over the course of our conversation, Dr. Wilkinson shares how an existential crisis during medical school led him down the path of exploring the ways evolution can be reconciled with fundamental questions and answers about life's meaning; how navigating the dual potential of human nature — pulling us between selfishness and altruism, aggression and cooperation — is key to understanding our purpose; why evolution does not exclude the possibility of existence of a god or gods; the importance of relationships in living fulfilling lives; the role of free will in the choice between good and evil; and more. In this episode, you'll hear about: 3:37 - How a drive to understand human nature drove Dr. Wilkinson to leave his engineering studies and pursue a career as a psychiatrist. 4:44 - The scope of Dr. Wilkinson's work at Yale 7:13 - What studying depression has taught Dr. Wilkinson about human nature 9:00 - How Dr. Wilkinson views the connection between evolution and God 24:00 - How the central argument of Dr. Wilkinson's book differs from intelligent design26:41 - Dr. Wilkinson's view of selfishness in human nature 37:49 - The deeper meaning that Dr. Wilkinson sees within the biological patterns of evolution 39:04 - The validity of moral relativism43:42 - “The Rider and the Elephant” as a metaphor for human nature 45:43 - Dr. Wilkinson's thoughts on free will 55:15 - How marriage can provide a cornerstone to building “a good life” 58:10 - The way in which Dr. Wilkinson's faith fits into his personal view of human nature 1:04:42 - How Dr. Wilkinson brings these principles into his clinical practice Dr. Samuel Wilkinson is the author of Purpose: What Evolution and Human Nature Imply about the Meaning of Our Existence (2024). Works and Individuals Discussed:The Selfish Gene by Richard DawkinsDetermined: A Science of Life Without Free Will by Robert SapolskyMichael Behe and the concept of intelligent design Free Will by Sam Harris

Jim talks with Tor Nørretranders about the ideas in his 1991 book The User Illusion: Cutting Consciousness Down to Size. They discuss the dialogue between Niels Bohr and Albert Einstein, defining consciousness, primary vs extended consciousness, the origins of the user illusion in computer interface design, the mind as an attempt to create a relevant myth, measuring the human mind in terms of information theory, consciousness as a story of reduction & compression, the physics of information, Maxwell's demon, I & me, Benjamin Libet's experiments on the delay of consciousness, being the spectator of our own acts, delayed auditory feedback, the veto theory, moving free will to the "me," Robert Sapolsky's arguments against free will, the reality of emergence, exformation, a simple translation of The Iliad, Julian Jaynes's theory of the origins of consciousness, why modern lives have less information, the problem with a subtractive approach to happiness, and much more. Episode Transcript The User Illusion: Cutting Consciousness Down to Size, by Tor Nørretranders JRS EP203 - Robert Sapolsky on Life Without Free Will "The Hedgehog's Song," by The Incredible String Band The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind, by Julian Jaynes Tor Nørretranders is an independent author, thinker and speaker based in Denmark, serving an international audience. Generally seen as a leading science communicator of Denmark, Tor has involved himself in numerous activities in the public arena, from newspaper journalism through books and magazine articles to hosting and producing television shows on science and the general world view. His lecture tours, gathering tens of thousands of people, have been major events on the Scandinavian scene.

How your biology and environment make your decisions for you, according to Dr. Robert Sapolsky. Robert Sapolsky, PhD is an author, researcher, and professor of biology, neurology, and neurosurgery at Stanford University. In this interview with Big Think's Editor-in-Chief, Robert Chapman Smith, Sapolsky discusses the content of his most recent book, “Determined: The Science of Life Without Free Will.” Being held as a child, growing up in a collectivist culture, or experiencing any sort of brain trauma – among hundreds of other things – can shape your internal biases and ultimately influence the decisions you make. This, explains Sapolsky, means that free will is not – and never has been – real. Even physiological factors like hunger can discreetly influence decision making, as discovered in a study that found judges were more likely to grant parole after they had eaten. This insight is key for interpreting human behavior, helping not only scientists but those who aim to evolve education systems, mental health research, and even policy making. --------------------------------- Go Deeper with Big Think: ►Become a Big Think Member Get exclusive access to full interviews, early access to new releases, Big Think merch and more ►Get Big Think+ for Business Guide, inspire and accelerate leaders at all levels of your company with the biggest minds in business -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Robert Sapolsky: Robert M. Sapolsky holds degrees from Harvard and Rockefeller Universities and is currently a Professor of Biology and Neurology at Stanford University and a Research Associate with the Institute of Primate Research, National Museums of Kenya. His books include New York Times bestseller, Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst and Determined. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stanford neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky has a book “Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will,” which presents a case for there being no free will. I've been listening to him a lot lately. Some of what he says reminds me of what these other philosophers have said. I'll share research that Sapolsky has pointed out. I'll get off track and give you fun tangential information

Dr. Robert Sapolsky a MacArthur Foundation “genius” grant winner and professor of biology and neurology at Stanford University has rankled the scientific and philosophic communities by arguing one simple point: There is no free will! We only THINK we're making our own decisions. Really, no really! When Jason and Peter heard this, they realized that they had absolutely no choice but to contact Dr. Sapolsky so they could get him to explain his thesis…in a simplistic way…that even they could understand. And he did! Dr. Robert Sapolsky is a research associate with the Institute of Primate Research at the National Museum of Kenya, and the author of: Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers, A Primate's Memoir, The Trouble with Testosterone, Monkeyluv, and his latest is Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will. He is a regular contributor to Discover. IN THIS EPISODE: Why a 14-year-old Robert Sapolsky concluded there is no free will. Misunderstanding what free will is; Dr. Sapolsky provides his definition. Determinism verses anti-determinism. How our sense of smell can affect our beliefs and choices. Thanks mom! How your pregnant mother's elevated stress levels gave you a 20-fold likelihood of developing an anxiety disorder. Minority Report's “pre-crime” idea is real and being implemented. Professor Sapolsky realizes that most philosophers and scientists reject his conclusions. Sapolsky says the world becomes more humane when we accept his hypothesis. Right, wrong, ethics, morality, compassion – What do we do with those concepts in a world without free will? Google-heim: No free will BUT the best things in life are free! (Sort of.) *** FOLLOW ROBERT: His latest book: “Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will” TikTok: @ aprimatestiktok *** FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY: www.reallynoreally.com Instagram YouTube TikTok Facebook Threads XSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if everything you think about free will is an illusion? Behavioral scientist Robert Sapolsky makes a provocative case that free will is largely fiction.Drawing from his book, Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will, he deconstructs the idea through neurobiology, genetics, and anthropology. Sapolsky explores startling implications for criminal justice, achievement, and being human. From reframing punishment to questioning meritocracy, he doesn't flinch from disruptive conclusions. Can we truly "choose" anything? Get ready to have your perception of human behavior radically reshaped in this mind-bending dialogue.You can find Robert at: Website | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you'll also love the conversations we had with Milton Glaser about how different people and experiences influence your path.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If everything happens for a reason, and those reasons are beyond our control, maybe we don't have free will after all. Robert Sapolsky, professor of biology and neurology at Stanford University, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss his case against free will, which he says is the logical choice if you look at the ways our lives are shaped by forces that start from our very biology. And we'll hear why, even without this control, we are still bound to be moral and decent humans. His book is “Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will.”

This week marks the beginning of Embodied Ethics in The Age of A.I., a six-week online course led by writer and teacher Joshua Schrei, host of The Emerald Podcast.  This course is, in large part, inspired by an episode he wrote last year called “So You Want To Be A Sorcerer in The Age of Mythic Powers” — exploring the mythic dimensions of tech innovation and calling for a reclamation of initiatic mystery schools in order to provide us with the requisite self-mastery to wield tools like generative language models. I'm honored to be part of the all-star crew lined up to co-facilitate this course and as part of our pre-game sync and prep, I met with Josh to talk about the forces we've unleashed and how to live responsibly in a world where tech is, in Arthur C. Clarke's words, now undoubtedly “indistinguishable from magic.” We explore the need to pace ourselves and anchor novelty production in ecologies of accountability; what it means to raise kids well amidst the A.I. revolution; and why humans cannot seem to stop invoking power and powers greater than our understanding.If you enjoy this conversation, join us — and several dozen other awesome people — from 4/18-5/16 to learn and grow together and answer the call to better ourselves in service of this great historical unfolding!(Big big thanks to former Center for Humane Technology Innovation Lead Andrew Dunn, founder of The School of Wise Innovation, for everything you've done to help inspire and organize all of this…)Right after this course I will be in Denver for the 2024 ICON Future Human Conference and would love to see you there!  Use my link to grab yourself a conference pass and spend 5/16-5/19 with me and folks like Daniel Schmachtenberger, Marianne Williamson, Ken Wilber, Jeremy Johnson, Layman Pascal, and many more…✨ Support This Show & The Family It Feeds:• Subscribe on Substack or Patreon for COPIOUS extras, including private Discord server channels and MANY secret episodes• Make one-off donations at @futurefossils on Venmo, $manfredmacx on CashApp, or @michaelgarfield on PayPal• Buy the music on Bandcamp. This episode features:Tålmodighed (from Live at The Chillout Gardens, Boom Festival 2016)Gamma Pavonis (from Pavo: Music For Mystery)The Cartographers (from Get Used To Being Everything)• Buy the books we discuss at the Future Fossils Bookshop.org page and I get a small cut from your support of indie booksellers• Browse and buy original paintings and prints or email me to commission new work✨ Mentioned & Related Links:“Modern culture is ‘ahead of the one.' Modern culture is rushing to get somewhere.”* Josh Schrei on Howl In The Wilderness Podcast Episode 120Sam Arbesman's Cabinet of WondersDetermined: A Science of Life Without Free Will by Robert SapolskyRick Rubin and Dan Carlin discuss magicMichael Garfield w/ host Kiki Sanford on This Week In Science Episode 965“Information overload is a personal and societal danger” by Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteThe Glass Cage by Nicholas CarrFuture Fossils 172 - Tyson Yunkaporta on Indigenous Systems Thinking, Fractal Governance, Ontopunk, and Queering W.E.I.R.D. ModernityCenter for Humane TechnologyThe Age of Em by Robin Hanson“Scan Lovers” from How to Live in The Future by Michael Garfield at Boom Festival 2016Wisdom 2.0 Summit”The Techno-Optimist Manifesto” by Marc AndreessenIron John by Robert Bly“The Model Isn't The Territory, Either” by Douglas RushkoffDarwin's Pharmacy: Sex, Plants, and The Evolution of The Noosphere by Richard Doyle“Chief Philosophy Officer” by Peter Limberg“The Next Tech Backlash Will Be About Hygiene” by Jonnie Penn at TIME MagazineDouglas Rushkoff at Betaworks in 2023: “I Will Not Be Automated”Zohar Atkins (Website, Twitter)My comments on “Hallucination Is Inevitable: An Innate Limitation of Large Language Models” by Xu, et al.“For The Intuitives” (Part 1, Part 2) on The Emerald Podcast This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelgarfield.substack.com/subscribe

Is there a quantum reason we could have free will? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice explore the concept of free will and predetermination with neuroscientist, biologist, and author of Determined: The Science of Life Without Free Will, Robert Sapolsky. A special thanks from our editors to Robert Sapolsky's dog. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/do-we-have-free-will-with-robert-sapolsky/Thanks to our Patrons Pro Handyman, Brad K. Daniels, Starman, Stephen Somers, Nina Kane, Paul Applegate, and David Goldberg for supporting us this week.

Robert Sapolsky is an American neuroendocrinology researcher and author. He is a professor of biology, neurology, neurological sciences, and neurosurgery at Stanford University. He is the author of "Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will", which you can purchase here.

Our guest is renowned neuroscientist and primatologist Robert Sapolsky.  He's spent his career investigating behavior across the animal kingdom, including humans.  In books like The Trouble With Testosterone and Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers, Sapolsky translates decades of research into fascinating stories and lessons accessible to non-scientific audiences. His latest book, Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will, offers a marvelous synthesis of what we know about how consciousness works—the tight weave between reason and emotion and between stimulus and response in the moment and over a life. On January 3, 2024, Sapolsky joined Caterina Fake for a conversation recorded at the studios of KQED in San Francisco.

Robert Sapolsky is a professor of biology, neurology, and neuro-surgery at Stanford University. He's also a neuroendocrinology researcher and author. In his newest book Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will,  he posits that extensive scientific research indicates that our decisions and choices in life are largely out of our control. Neuroscience, genetics, evolutionary theory, and child development are several factors that can help us understand how we act is predetermined, contrary to popular belief.

Every January on his website Extension765.com, the prolific director Steven Soderbergh looks back at the previous year and posts a day-by-day account of every movie and TV series watched, every play attended and every book read. In 2023, Soderbergh tackled more than 80 (!) books, and on this week's episode, he and the host Gilbert Cruz talk about some of his highlights. Here are the books discussed on this week's episode:"How to Live: A Life of Montaigne," by Sarah Bakewell"Stanley Kubrick's 'The Shining,'" by Lee Unkrich and J.W. Rinzler"Cocktails with George and Martha," by Philip GefterThe work of Donald E. Westlake"Americanah," by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie"Pictures From an Institution," by Randall Jarrell"Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will," by Robert M. Sapolsky

Welcome back to part two with renowned biologist Robert Sapolsky, who presents a compelling argument that free will is an illusion that is deeply rooted in our biology. His ground-breaking insights, as detailed in his book "Determined," challenge conventional wisdom and reshape our understanding of human behavior, asserting that we are in fact products of our biology, not the autonomous agents of free will you believe yourself to be. If you're on the edge of your seat wanting more, check out Robert Sapolsky's latest book, Determined, A Life Without Free Will: https://www.amazon.com/Determined-Science-Life-without-Free/dp/0525560971  Follow Robert Sapolsky: Website: http://www.robertsapolskyrocks.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robert.sapolsky/  Follow Me, Tom Bilyeu:  Website: https://impacttheoryuniversity.com/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/TomBilyeu  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tombilyeu/ Are You Ready for EXTRA Impact? If you're ready to find true fulfillment, strengthen your focus, and ignite your true potential, the Impact Theory subscription was created just for you. Want to transform your health, sharpen your mindset, improve your relationship, or conquer the business world? This is your epicenter of greatness.  This is not for the faint of heart. This is for those who dare to learn obsessively, every day, day after day. Subscription Benefits: Unlock the gates to a treasure trove of wisdom from inspiring guests like Andrew Huberman, Mel Robbins, Hal Elrod, Matthew McConaughey, and many, many, more New episodes delivered ad-free Exclusive access to Tom's AMAs, keynote speeches, and suggestions from his personal reading list You'll also get access to an 5 additional podcasts with hundreds of archived Impact Theory episodes, meticulously curated into themed playlists covering health, mindset, business, relationships, and more: Legendary Mindset: Mindset & Self-Improvement Money Mindset: Business & Finance Relationship Theory: Relationships Health Theory: Mental & Physical Health Power Ups: Weekly Doses of Short Motivational Quotes  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PCvJaz Subscribe on all other platforms (Google Podcasts, Spotify, Castro, Downcast, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Podcast Addict, Podcast Republic, Podkicker, and more) : https://impacttheorynetwork.supercast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I had a super compelling conversation with the legendary biologist Robert Sapolsky to challenge the concept of free will and pull together what can be done with these ideas when you feel lazy and lack purpose or direction. We dive into the unsettling reality that everything we perceive may just be a simulation, and how evolution has optimized us for survival, not accuracy. But don't despair! Even without god or free will, we discuss how you can still massively improve your life.  We explore the societal implications of free will being an illusion and why acting as if it exists could be beneficial for your mental health. Don't miss this riveting conversation that will challenge your perspective and empower you to leverage your biology for self-improvement. Renowned biologist Robert Sapolsky, presents a compelling argument that free will is an illusion that is deeply rooted in our biology. His ground-breaking insights, as detailed in his book "Determined," challenge conventional wisdom and reshape our understanding of human behavior, asserting that we are in fact products of our biology, not the autonomous agents of free will you believe yourself to be. If you're on the edge of your seat wanting more, check out Robert Sapolsky's latest book, Determined, A Life Without Free Will: https://www.amazon.com/Determined-Science-Life-without-Free/dp/0525560971 Follow Robert Sapolsky: Website: http://www.robertsapolskyrocks.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robert.sapolsky/  Follow Me, Tom Bilyeu:  Website: https://impacttheoryuniversity.com/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/TomBilyeu  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tombilyeu/ SPONSORS: If you purchase an item using these affiliate links, Impact Theory may receive a commission.  Get 5 free AG1 Travel Packs and a FREE 1 year supply of Vitamin D with your first purchase at https://bit.ly/AG1Impact. Try Audible free for 30 days! Just visit https://adbl.co/3RJgA79 or text impacttheory to 500-500. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at https://bit.ly/ShopifyImpact. Are You Ready for EXTRA Impact? If you're ready to find true fulfillment, strengthen your focus, and ignite your true potential, the Impact Theory subscription was created just for you. Want to transform your health, sharpen your mindset, improve your relationship, or conquer the business world? This is your epicenter of greatness.  This is not for the faint of heart. This is for those who dare to learn obsessively, every day, day after day. Subscription Benefits: Unlock the gates to a treasure trove of wisdom from inspiring guests like Andrew Huberman, Mel Robbins, Hal Elrod, Matthew McConaughey, and many, many, more New episodes delivered ad-free Exclusive access to Tom's AMAs, keynote speeches, and suggestions from his personal reading list You'll also get access to an 5 additional podcasts with hundreds of archived Impact Theory episodes, meticulously curated into themed playlists covering health, mindset, business, relationships, and more: Legendary Mindset: Mindset & Self-Improvement Money Mindset: Business & Finance Relationship Theory: Relationships Health Theory: Mental & Physical Health Power Ups: Weekly Doses of Short Motivational Quotes  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PCvJaz Subscribe on all other platforms (Google Podcasts, Spotify, Castro, Downcast, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Podcast Addict, Podcast Republic, Podkicker, and more) : https://impacttheorynetwork.supercast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Robert Sapolsky has accomplished so much in his life and career, including winning the MacArthur “genius” grant and authoring several best-selling books. But as he puts it himself in his most recent book: “I've been very lucky in my life, something which I certainly did not earn.” This sentiment is consistent with his view that we lack free will entirely, and in today's episode, Professor Sapolsky is going to make his argument to Hala as to why that is indeed the case.   Robert Sapolsky is a professor of biology and neurology at Stanford University, who is an expert in several fields ranging from stress to baboon behavior to human evolution. His work has received many awards including the esteemed MacArthur Fellowship. He is also the best-selling author of several books including Behave, Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers, and The Trouble with Testosterone. His newest book is called Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will.   In this episode, Hala and Robert will discuss: - Why free will doesn't exist - The epiphany he had as a 14-year-old - Is meritocracy an illusion? - The neuroscience of decision-making - The myth of grit - What predetermination means for entrepreneurs - Why Jeff Bezos was born to create Amazon - Does spontaneity exist? - How no free will impacts our morality - The science behind moral disgust - Why you can't reason someone out of an opinion - Why we should overhaul the criminal justice system - And other topics…   Robert Sapolsky is a professor of biology and neurology at Stanford University and a research associate with the Institute of Primate Research at the National Museum of Kenya. Over the past thirty years, he has divided his time between the lab, where he studies how stress hormones can damage the brain, and in East Africa, where he studies the impact of chronic stress on the health of baboons. Sapolsky is the author of Behave, Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers, A Primate's Memoir, and The Trouble with Testosterone, and is a regular contributor to Discover. He has published articles about stress and health in magazines as diverse as Men's Health and The New Yorker. Sapolsky received the MacArthur Foundation's “genius” grant at age 30.   Resources Mentioned: Robert's Website: http://www.robertsapolskyrocks.com/ Robert's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertsapolsky/ Robert's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Robert-Sapolsky/100063871383510/  Robert's new book Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will (2023): https://www.amazon.com/Determined-Science-Life-without-Free/dp/B0BVNSX4CQ/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1699016118&refinements=p_27%3ARobert+Sapolsky&s=books&sr=1-1    LinkedIn Secrets Masterclass, Have Job Security For Life: Use code ‘podcast' for 30% off at yapmedia.io/course.   Sponsored By: Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at youngandprofiting.co/shopify Greenlight - Sign up for Greenlight today and get your first month free when you go to greenlight.com/YAP MasterClass - Right now you can get Two Memberships for the Price of One at youngandprofiting.co/masterclass Articulate 360 - Visit articulate.com/360 to start a free 30-day trial of Articulate 360 Help Save Palestinian Lives:  Donate money for eSIM cards for the people of Gaza at https://youngandprofiting.co/DonateWHala   More About Young and Profiting Download Transcripts - youngandprofiting.com  Get Sponsorship Deals - youngandprofiting.com/sponsorships Leave a Review -  ratethispodcast.com/yap Watch Videos - youtube.com/c/YoungandProfiting   Follow Hala Taha LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/htaha/ Instagram - instagram.com/yapwithhala/ TikTok - tiktok.com/@yapwithhala Twitter - twitter.com/yapwithhala   Learn more about YAP Media Agency Services - yapmedia.io/

Here's the question you're going to be asking for the next 30 minutes: Did I freely choose to listen to this podcast, or did I actually have no choice at all? Most of us probably believe we have free will. We feel like we make decisions, and that each of us is responsible for the consequences of our actions. But what if that's all just an illusion?Robert Sapolsky is a renowned professor of biology and neurology at Stanford University, but he's also the author of best-selling scientific books such as “Behave”. He's always been focused on the biological mechanisms that shape our actions, but in his latest book, “Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will” he's going a step further: He says the science shows that our biology doesn't just shape our actions, but completely controls them. In this episode, he argues that letting go of the illusion of free will could radically reshape our world.

Robert Sapolsky discusses "Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will."

¿Existe el libre albedrío? Sobre la tesis de Robert Sapolsky de la vida sin libre albedrío.Añado una conexión con la informática.Audio original del episodio de YouTube: https://youtu.be/jfUgL_HEW1ULibro de Robert Sapolsky: Determined. Life Without Free Will.Support the show

In this episode we speak with Dr. Robert Sapolsky about human behavior and free will. Dr. Sapolsky holds the John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn Professorship, with joint appointments in Biological Sciences, Neurology & Neurological Sciences, and Neurosurgery at Stanford University. Dr. Sapolsky's influential work is encapsulated in his best-selling book, "Behave," and his most recently released book, "Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will." This episode takes a deep dive into the complexities of human behavior and the concept of free will. Dr. Sapolsky brings his extensive research on baboons and human behavior to the table, shedding light on the mismatch between our evolutionary past and the present-day challenges we face. We explore the nuances of behavioral change, stress management, and the intricate interplay of biology, environment, and mental health. Host: Brent Franson, Founder & CEO, Most Days Guest: Dr. Robert Sapolsky Music: Patrick Lee Producer: Patrick Godino

Robert M. Sapolsky, a Stanford neurobiologist and MacArthur “genius” fellow, challenges our deeply ingrained beliefs about free will. Building on his seminal 2017 work "Behave," which explored the dynamics of nature and nurture, Sapolsky's latest book, "Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will," suggests that science, medicine, and philosophy may actually support determinism over free will. As societal discourse increasingly embraces a culture of victimhood, he questions the quintessentially Californian belief in personal agency. My California Sun conversation with Robert Sapolsky:

Sean Illing speaks with Robert Sapolsky, a professor of biology and neurology at Stanford University and the author of a new book called Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will. They discuss the concept of free will, whether it actually exists in the way we think it does, and what it means for society if free will is indeed an illusion. Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), host, The Gray Area Guest: Robert Sapolsky, author, Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will References:  Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will by Robert M. Sapolsky (Penguin Random House, 2023) Behave by Robert M. Sapolsky (Penguin Random House, 2018) “Robert Sapolsky Doesn't Believe in Free Will. (But Feel Free to Disagree.)” by Hope Reese (New York Times, October 2023) Enjoyed this episode? Rate The Gray Area ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Subscribe for free. Be the first to hear the next episode of The Gray Area by subscribing in your favorite podcast app. Support The Gray Area by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts This episode was made by:  Engineer: Rob Byers Deputy Editorial Director, Vox Talk: A.M. Hall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In his book Orthodoxy, G.K. Chesterton observed that even insane explanations for the world can have a perverse consistency. A madman who thinks he's the king of England has a ready explanation for anyone who denies his claim: They're conspirators trying to keep him from his throne. “His mind,” wrote Chesterton, “moves in a perfect but narrow circle.”   Chesterton's asylum example also applies to a recent article published at Phys.org about a scientist who has written a book to convince everyone that humans don't have free will. Neuroendocrinologist and MacArthur “genius grant” winner Robert Sapolsky has studied people and primates for over 40 years. In his book Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will, Dr. Sapolsky argues that humans are molecular machines, wholly determined by our genes, our environments, and our past. Thus, our behavior, even when condemned as criminal or evil, is no more a choice than “the convulsions of a seizure, the division of cells or the beating of our hearts.”  Of course, the implications if this were true would be incredible. As a Los Angeles Times reporter memorably put it:   This means accepting that a man who shoots into a crowd has no more control over his fate than the victims who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. It means treating drunk drivers who barrel into pedestrians just like drivers who suffer a sudden heart attack and veer out of their lane.  However, rather than justifying or enabling acts of violence, Sapolsky believes his deterministic view of human choices could actually make society better:   The world is really screwed up and made much, much more unfair by the fact that we reward people and punish people for things they have no control over. We've got no free will. Stop attributing stuff to us that isn't there.  Sapolsky's argument isn't new. It is, in fact, the standard, reductive version of metaphysical naturalism, which teaches that all phenomena have material causes. Since these causes are themselves materially caused, nature is a closed system of dominoes. In this theory, an observer with perfect knowledge of the initial conditions of the universe could accurately predict every event that followed, right down to the choices individuals make about what to eat, where to live, who to love, what to believe, and even whether to kill.  The problem, which philosophers and writers over the years have pointed out, is that if everything is determined and humans do not have a free will, that would include the belief in metaphysical naturalism and every part of the thought process that led to it. Assuming this view, the reason Sapolsky believes what he does has nothing to do with what he has learned in his research or whether it's true. Instead, it is the predetermined result of a long process of material causes stretching back to the Big Bang. His book, his arguments, and his belief that they'll somehow make the world a better place are not meaningful. They're just the latest dominoes to have fallen, and it could never have been otherwise.   In his book Miracles, C. S. Lewis critiqued this brand of reductive naturalism:   [N]o account of the universe can be true unless that account leaves it possible for our thinking to be a real insight. A theory which explained everything else in the whole universe but which made it impossible to believe that our thinking was valid, would be utterly out of court. For that theory would itself have been reached by thinking, and if thinking is not valid that theory would, of course, be itself demolished.  To his credit, Sapolsky seems aware of this absurdity but just accepts it: “It is logically indefensible, ludicrous, meaningless to believe that something ‘good' can happen to a machine,” he admits. “Nonetheless, I am certain that it is good if people feel less pain and more happiness.”  But why is it good for people to be happier or have less pain if everything is determined? Why is it preferable to live in a society marked by peace and safety, instead of chaos and violence? And why appeal to people to make a meaningful choice between these options when their choice is already determined and meaningless?    Chesterton's answer to such small, reductive worldviews was to confront them with the immensity of the real world and human experience, and to notice how they do more explaining away than explaining.   We know our choices are not mere results of physical processes, and that they have a deep moral significance. We know it so deeply that even those trying to convince us we're mere machines must contradict themselves by treating some choices, such as their choice to write books to convince readers, as if they mean something.   In the very act of denying our moral responsibility in a moral universe, we must, in some sense, act as if meaning exists. It's a crazy effort to deny meaning, but that doesn't stop even geniuses from trying it. All the more evidence of our profound freedom, and of our ability to abuse it.  This Breakpoint was co-authored by Shane Morris. If you're a fan of Breakpoint, leave a review on your favorite podcast app. For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org. 

In episode 73, Gregg welcomes Professor Rick Repetti. Rick is a philosopher who has long standing interests in meditation, the self, agency, and free will. He was previously on an Inside UTOK conversation with Gregg, where his shared his views of the meaning crisis, work with John Vervaeke, and his development of a new vision for truth systems call the Knowledge Coin. In this episode, he and Gregg talk about the concept of free will in relationship to Robert Sapolsky's new book, Determined: The Science of Life Without Free Will. Both Gregg and Rick agree that Sapolsky provided a very weak argument, one that was lacking in philosophical sophistication and was anchored to an outmoded, reductive view of scientific knowledge. In addition, his conclusions about how we justify blame and responsibility are poorly defined and dangerous. UTOK provides a much clearer view on how to understand human agency and processes of justification pertaining to blame and praise.   ℹ️ - - - Find out more about Rick Repetti - - - ℹ️ Homepage: https://www.rickrepetti.com/ ℹ️ - - - Find out more about Gregg Henriques - - - ℹ️ Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/gregg-henriques-phd Medium: https://gregghenriques.medium.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/henriqgx  

Episode 116: It's not very often that a book about philosophy has people talking, but the recent publication of “Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will” by Robert M. Sapolsky is an exception. The argument made by Sapolsky, a professor of biology of Stanford University, is remarkable simple: none of us are in control or responsible for the decisions we make. This is not, as you might think, because of a higher power — the author considers himself to be an atheist. Instead, he writes that: “The intent you form, the person you are, is the result of all the interactions between biology and environment that came before. All things out of your control.” Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss whether this is radical idea is a useful way to look at our lives. Links to stories discussed during the podcast: Do you have free will? A new book by Robert Sapolsky argues that we're not in control of or responsible for the decisions we make, by Kieran Setiya, The Atlantic Robert Sapolsky doesn't believe in free will. (But feel free to disagree.), by Hope Reese, The New York Times About the hosts: Scott Rada is social media manager with Lee Enterprises, and Richard Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis. His forthcoming book, "Finding Your Third Place," will be published by Fulcrum Books.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robert M. Sapolsky, a Stanford neurobiologist and MacArthur “genius” fellow, challenges our deeply ingrained beliefs about free will. Building on his seminal 2017 work "Behave," which explored the dynamics of nature and nurture, Sapolsky's latest book, "Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will," suggests that science, medicine, and philosophy may actually support determinism over free will. As societal discourse increasingly embraces a culture of victimhood, he questions the quintessentially Californian belief in personal agency.

Robert Sapolsky is a professor of biology and neurobiology at at Stanford University, and the recipient of a MacArthur Genius Grant. He is the author of "Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will." He joins to discuss the case against free will, and its societal implications.  Robert's Book at www.mightyheaton.com/featured Socrates Sketch:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2QrrYug_VQ&t=35s The Emperor Claudius https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/emperor-claudius-killed-a-whale/id1596616667?i=1000546859060&l=ru

Dr. Jordan B Peterson sits down with Neuroendocrinology researcher and author of the upcoming book Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will, Robert Sapolsky. They discuss how Game Theory applies to human behavior across iterative rounds of play, the unexpected success of the tit-for-tat principle, the role of dopamine in the anticipation of the future, and the objective reality of transcendent structures within our biological routines. Robert Sapolsky is an American Neuroendocrinology researcher, author, and communicator. He has spent decades studying primates in the wild, written numerous articles and books, as well as produced multiple video series on the subject. By the age of 12, Sapolsky was writing to well known primatologists as a fan, and had also begun teaching himself swahili with the early ambition of heading to Tanzanian, Mozambique, and Kenya in search of his own primates (Specifically Silverback Gorillas) to study. Not too much later, Sapolsky would make contact with a group of gorillas in Kenya, a group he would visit every year for 25 years, spending 4 months studying them at a time.  Sapolsky would go on to become the John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn Professor at Stanford University, holding joint appointments in several departments, including Biological Sciences, Neurology & Neurological Sciences, and Neurosurgery.   - Links - For Robert Sapolsky:   Determined (Book) https://www.amazon.com/Determined-Science-Life-without-Free/dp/B0BVNSX4CQ/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=QFjFx&content-id=amzn1.sym.579192ca-1482-4409-abe7-9e14f17ac827&pf_rd_p=579192ca-1482-4409-abe7-9e14f17ac827&pf_rd_r=138-5878495-9086964&pd_rd_wg=c78OT&pd_rd_r=59b94cd4-c046-4970-af71-a6cd4f439f77&ref_=aufs_ap_sc_dsk Behave (Book) https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/592344/determined-by-robert-m-sapolsky/ Robert Sapolsky on X https://twitter.com/robot_sapolsky?lang=en 

On this week's Tech Nation, Moira speaks with Stanford Professor Robert Sapolsky about “Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will”.   Then, Tech Nation Health Chief Correspondent Dr. Daniel Kraft talks about how Medical Schools decide what to teach.

Meet Jared Diamond and Michael Shermer: https://skeptic.com/event Robert Sapolsky is the author of A Primate's Memoir, The Trouble with Testosterone, and Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers. His most recent book, Behave, was a New York Times bestseller and named a best book of the year by the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal. He is a professor of biology and neurology at Stanford University and the recipient of a MacArthur Foundation “Genius Grant.” His new book is Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will. Shermer and Sapolsky discuss: free will, determinism, compatibilism, libertarian free will • Christian List's 3 related capacities for free will • how what people believe about free will and determinism influences their behaviors • the three horsemen of determinism: (1) reductionism (2) predetermination; (3) epiphenomenalism • dualism • punishment • retributive vs. restorative justice •Is the self an illusion? • game theory evolution of punishment • luck • and meaning (or lack thereof).

Jim talks with Robert Sapolsky about the ideas in his book Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will. They discuss what motivates his writing about the topic, turtles all the way down, closing off the escape valves, the general critique of determinism, 4 positions on free will, naturalism vs determinism, intent, free will vs agency, Phineas Gage's famous brain injury, disruption of cognitive abilities, the limitations of metacognition, Benjamin Libet's volition experiments, why consciousness research doesn't have to do with free will, free won't, the theory of grit, an update to the marshmallow test, cusp decisions, deterministic chaos, the De Broglie-Bohm theory, New Age quantum bullshit, emergent complexity, downward causality, how attention determines who we become, the noble lie, why rejecting free will doesn't make people less ethical, and much more. Episode Transcript Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will, by Robert Sapolsky JRS EP105 - Christof Koch on Consciousness JRS EP 148 - Antonio de Masio on Feeling and Knowing JRS EP 178 - Anil Seth on A New Science of Consciousness JRS EP108 - Bernard Baars on Consciousness JRS Currents 083: Joscha Bach on Synethic Intelligence Robert M. Sapolsky is the author of several works of nonfiction, including A Primate's Memoir, The Trouble with Testosterone, and Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers. His most recent book, Behave, was a New York Times bestseller and named a best book of the year by The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. He is a professor of biology and neurology at Stanford University and the recipient of a MacArthur Foundation “Genius Grant.” He and his wife live in San Francisco.

Today we welcome Robert Sapolsky to the podcast. ​​Robert is professor of biology and neurology at Stanford University and a research associate with the Institute of Primate Research at the National Museum of Kenya. His research has been featured in the National Geographic documentary "Stress: Portrait of a Killer". At age 30, Robert received the MacArthur Foundation's "genius" grant. He is author of Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers, A Primate's Memoir, The Trouble with Testosterone and Monkeyluv. His latest book is called Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will.In this episode, I talk to Robert Sapolsky about life without free will. Humans like the idea of having control over their lives, but Robert asserts that free will is just an illusion. Life beyond free will may sound unpleasant, but Robert explains the profound consequences of this belief in reforming the justice system, meritocracy, and education. We also touch on the topics of philosophy, quantum physics, mindfulness, grit, and responsibility.LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/robertsapolsky/ Topics02:38 Robert's background and upbringing05:43 Life without free will13:16 Believing in free will24:05 Responsibility and punishment33:14 The future cannot be determined43:45 Mindfulness - a form of free will?48:37 The human experience53:41 Abolish the justice system and meritocracy1:04:03 Statistical guilt1:07:21 Effort, grit and taking credit1:16:40 Nobody is more “worthy” 1:23:29 Life is worth living

Eric chats with Robert Sapolsky, Stanford Professor of Biology, Neurology, and Neurosurgery. Robert is a world-renowned academic and author of highly successful books such as A Primate's Memoir, Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers, and Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst. His Stanford lectures were among the first to be made available online across the entire university and have been watched tens of millions of times. Robert is a MacArthur “Genius” Fellow. He is a highly engaging teacher and lecturer, not least because of his wonderful sense of humor. In this episode, Robert announces his upcoming (yet-to-be-written) book “Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will.” Robert discusses when and how he came to give up his belief in free will, and why we all should if we want to live in a fairer society. However, Eric and Robert also discuss some alluring upsides of believing in free will, and Robert acknowledges he'd love to swallow the blue pill, allowing him to believe in free will again.

In this episode, I interview Dr. Robert Sapolsky, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, Neurology & Neurosurgery at Stanford University. We discuss stress, what defines short-term versus long-term stress, and how stress can be beneficial or detrimental, depending on the context. We also discuss stress mitigation and how our sense of control over stress mitigation techniques, including exercise, determine health outcomes. Dr. Sapolsky explains some of the key effects of the hormone testosterone — how it can amplify pre-existing tendencies for aggression or sexual behavior, but that it does not produce those behaviors per se. He also explains how testosterone impacts our social hierarchies, sense of confidence, and willingness to embrace challenges of different kinds. He also explains how our behaviors and perceptions shape testosterone levels. And we discuss estrogen and the powerful role it plays in brain development, health and longevity. Finally, we discuss free will, what it means to have free will, and if we have any free will, including how knowledge alone might allow us to make better decisions for ourselves and society.    Thank you to our sponsors: ROKA - https://roka.com - use code "huberman" InsideTracker - https://insidetracker.com/huberman  Belcampo - https://belcampo.com/huberman    Our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/andrewhuberman    Supplements from Thorne: http://www.thorne.com/u/huberman    Social: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab  Twitter - https://twitter.com/hubermanlab  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab   Website - https://hubermanlab.com  Join Newsletter - https://hubermanlab.com/neural-network    Links: Dr. Sapolsky's most recent book, "Behave: The Biology of Humans At Our Best & Worst": https://amzn.to/3yrZ6k7  Support Research in the Huberman Lab at Stanford on Stress, Sleep & Human Performance: https://hubermanlab.stanford.edu/giving    Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction: Dr. Robert Sapolsky  00:02:26 Sponsors: Roka, Inside Tracker, Belcampo  00:06:30 Stress: Short & Long-Term, Good & Bad  00:09:11 Valence & Amygdala  00:11:00 Testosterone: Common Myths vs. Actual Truths  00:15:15 Behaviors that Affect Testosterone   00:17:20 Mindsets & Contexts that Affect Testosterone 00:20:28 How Finger Length Ratios Reflect Prenatal Hormone Levels   00:22:30 Aggression: Male-Female, Female-Male, & Female-Female  00:24:05 Testosterone: The Challenge Hypothesis  00:29:20 How Dopamine Impacts Testosterone & Motivation  00:32:32 Estrogen: Improves Brain & Longevity BUT TIMING IS KEY  00:39:40 Are Testosterone & Sperm Counts in Males Really Dropping?  00:42:15 Stress Mitigation & Our Sense of Control  00:51:35 How Best to Buffer Stress  00:57:04 Power of Perception, Choice & Individual Differences  01:00:32 Context-Setting, Prefrontal Cortex & Hierarchy  01:11:20 How Dr. Sapolsky Accomplishes Deep Thinking   01:13:17 Do We Have Free Will?  01:20:50 How to Apply Knowledge & Learning   01:23:44 Robert's New Book: “Determined: The Science of Life Without Free Will”  01:28:27 Reflections, Support of Podcast, & Supporting Stress Research    Please note that The Huberman Lab Podcast is distinct from Dr. Huberman's teaching and research roles at Stanford University School of Medicine. The information provided in this show is not medical advice, nor should it be taken or applied as a replacement for medical advice. The Huberman Lab Podcast, its employees, guests and affiliates assume no liability for the application of the information discussed.