Author: Robert M. Sapolsky

Price: $20.90

Category:Books
Publication Date:2023-10-19T00:00:00Z
Pages:528
Binding:Paperback
ISBN:10:1847925545
ISBN:13:9781847925541
One of the world's greatest scientists of human behaviour, the bestselling author of Behave, shows that free will does not exist - and challenges us to rethink the notions of choice, identity, responsibility, justice, morality and how we live together. 'One of the best scientist-writers of our time' OLIVER SACKS 'A bravura performance . . . moving, absorbing, compassionate' OLIVER BURKEMAN, Observer Behind every thought, action and experience there lies a chain of biological and environmental causes, stretching back from the moment a neuron fires to the dawn of our species and beyond. Nowhere in this infinite sequence is there a place where free will could play a role. Without free will, it makes no more sense to punish people for antisocial behaviour than it does to scold a car for breaking down. It is no one's fault they are poor or overweight or unsuccessful, nor do people deserve praise for their talent or hard work; 'grit' is a myth. This mechanistic view of human behaviour challenges our most powerful instincts, but history suggests that we have already made great strides toward it: where once we saw demonic possession or cowardice, for example, now we diagnose illness or trauma and offer help. Determined confronts us with our true nature: who and what we are is biology and nothing more. Disturbing and liberating in equal measure, it explores the far-reaching implications for society of accepting this reality. Monumentally difficult as it may be, the reward will be a far more just and humane world. 'Utterly fascinating ... with mind-boggling implications' FRANS DE WAAL 'Wonderfully readable ... humorous and warm and humane' Justin Webb, Today (BBC Radio 4)