In the this episode of Brain Science we talk with neuroscientist Kevin Mitchell about his new book Free Agents: How Evolution Gave Us Free Will. While many neuroscientists and philosophers argue that free will is an illusion, Mitchell argues that the ability to make meaningful choices is part of our evolutionary heritage. He also addresses the important issue of determinism, siding with those physicists who argue that the fundamental nature of our universe is NOT deterministic. These issues are crucial to how we see ourselves and others.

Links and References:

• Free Agents: How Evolution Gave Us Free Will by Kevin J. Mitchell 
• Helgoland: Making Sense of the Quantum Revolution by Carlo Rovelli
• Innate: How the Wiring of Our Brains Shapes Who We Are by Kevin J. Mitchell
  • Mitchell discusses this book in BS 159.
• Kevin Mitchell, PhD (Trinity College Dublin)
  • Mitchell's blog
• Please visit http://brainsciencepodcast.com for additional references and episode transcripts.

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