Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will
Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will is a 2023 nonfiction book by American neuroendocrinology researcher Robert Sapolsky concerning the neurological evidence for or against free will. Sapolsky generally concludes that our choices are determined by our genetics, experience, and environment,[1] and that the common use of the term free will is erroneous. The book also examines the "ethical consequences of justice and punishment" in a model of human behavior that dispenses with free will.[2]
 | |
| Author | Robert Sapolsky |
|---|---|
| Country | US |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Free will |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Published | 2023 |
| Publisher | Penguin Press |
| Pages | 528 |
| ISBN | 978-0-5255-6097-5 |
Reception
A review in The Los Angeles Times said of the book "what he's written is stimulating to read, even for those who doubt his conclusions."[3] A review in Science found it to have a "dismissive attitude toward how determinism might be compatible with free will" but was "well written" and "worth reading".[1] Psychology Today's reviewer concluded it was "witty and engaging...a goldmine of fascinating information".[4]
References
Sources
- Fagan, Abigail (October 17, 2023). "An Attack on Free Will – Why luck often trumps pluck". Psychology Today blog (book review). Psychology Today.
- Reese, Hope (October 18, 2023). "A Conversation With: Robert Sapolsky Doesn't Believe in Free Will. (But Feel Free to Disagree.)". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 Oct 2023.
- Maoz, Uri (12 Oct 2023), "Freedom from free will – A scientist presents a case for a predetermined future", Science (book review), 382 (6667): 163, doi:10.1126/science.adk1277
- Purtill, Corinne (October 17, 2023). "Stanford scientist, after decades of study, concludes: We don't have free will". LA Review of Books. Los Angeles Times.
- "Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will", Kirkus Reviews (book review), August 7, 2023
Further reading
- Canfield, Kevin (October 18, 2023). "Think you have free will? Scientist begs to differ". Datebook. San Francisco Chronicle (book review).
- Revell, Timothy (18 October 2023). "Why free will doesn't exist, according to Robert Sapolsky (transcript)". CultureLab (Podcast). New Scientist.
It's hard to let go of the idea that free will exists, but neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky says that society starts to look very different once you do