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.)

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FOLLOW ROBERT:

His latest book: “Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will”

TikTok: @ aprimatestiktok

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FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:

www.reallynoreally.com

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