First published 2023
Robert Sapolsky examines the science of human behavior to argue against free will. The behavioral scientist builds on his previous work in Behave to present evidence that consciousness operates through tight connections between reason and emotion, stimulus and response. Sapolsky addresses major philosophical arguments for free will and counters them using findings from chaos theory, complexity science, and quantum physics. He traces how medical history shows fewer conditions being blamed on personal fault, citing seizures once attributed to demonic possession. The book tackles practical questions about punishment, morality, and social cooperation in a world without free will. Sapolsky acknowledges the difficulty of abandoning our tendency to judge others and ourselves. He applies this framework to essential questions about living together as a society. The author argues that accepting the absence of free will, while monumentally challenging in daily life, will not lead to chaos or meaninglessness. Instead, this understanding offers a path toward greater compassion and humanity in how we treat each other.
Genres: science, philosophy, psychology, social-science, non-fiction, academic
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: academic, non-fiction
528 pages · Hardcover · Penguin Press