Ref link: Sapolsky’s ‘Determined’ – there is no free will – he’s dying on this hill and I’m here for it.
I believe, feel, and think that the lie of ‘free will’ has done more to harm humanity over all history than can easily be stated. I also find that the reality of what Sapolsky calls ‘distributed causality’ is reasonably self-evident as well as scientifically demonstrable.
The more science is (and it is) validating these realities, the more my hope for a truly sustainable human future becomes; even in the face of realities as grim as climate change and ongoing cultural and societal exclusion and harm. It will take generations for this knowledge to bloom within the larger sphere of human knowledge, but short of an active pruning of human thought (i.e., inducing a dark age, etc), it WILL happen.
I only wish I could live to see it. In the meanwhile, things to understand…
1. The brain is a physical system: Start by emphasizing that our brains are biological systems governed by physical laws. Just like other physical systems, our brain processes information, makes decisions, and takes actions based on its internal workings and external influences.
2. Determinism is inherent in the universe: Highlight that everything in the universe, including humans, operates under deterministic principles. The position and momentum of a particle, for instance, can be predicted with certainty using the laws of physics. Similarly, our brain’s neural networks and neurotransmitters are governed by physical and chemical processes, which dictate our thoughts, feelings, and actions.
3. Causal chains: Illustrate how every event in the universe is connected through causal chains, where one event leads to another. In other words, every decision we make can be traced back to a long chain of prior causes, including genetic predispositions, upbringing, environment, and past experiences. This means that our choices are ultimately determined by these earlier events.
4. The role of genetics: Discuss how genetics plays a significant role in shaping our personality traits, behaviors, and even moral compasses. For example, research has shown that certain genes can influence our propensity for aggression or altruism. This suggests that our choices are influenced by factors beyond our conscious control.
5. Environmental influences: Emphasize the impact of environmental factors on our behavior and decision-making processes. From upbringing to social norms, cultural values, and economic pressures, these external influences can significantly shape our choices without us even realizing it.
6. Neuroscience and psychology findings: Cite studies in neuroscience and psychology that demonstrate how our brains process information and make decisions. For instance:
* Research on neuroplasticity shows that our brain’s neural connections are shaped by experience and learning, which affects our decision-making processes.
* Studies on social influence highlight how we often conform to the norms of those around us, rather than making independent choices.
7. The illusion of free will: Conclude by highlighting the cognitive biases and heuristics that lead us to perceive ourselves as having free will. This includes the availability heuristic (we overestimate the role of conscious decisions) and the fundamental attribution error (we attribute our behavior to character traits rather than situational factors).
This demonstrates how our choices are ultimately determined by a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors, which essentially eliminates the notion of free will. However, it’s essential to acknowledge that this perspective does not necessarily imply a complete lack of moral responsibility or accountability, rather that we should understand the intersections involved in our actions so we can form better methods of managing human life in accord with this emergent understanding of our shared reality.