>>>>>Sapolsky said “We’ve got no free will. Stop attributing stuff to us that isn’t there.”
And there’s the proof that he doesn’t really believe what he says and that, deep down, he knows that we do have free will, because if we didn’t, we wouldn’t be able to stop doing that.
he knows that we do have free will, because if we didn’t, we wouldn’t be able to stop doing that.
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Very astute observation. You win the interweb for the day.
Excellent point. I've been carrying on a running debate with an other-wise highly intelligent agnostic.
He admits that scientist don't understand the true nature of "consciousness", but in the next breath tells me we have no ability to control decisions". I roll my eyes and remind him, my entire 42 year career was largely based on my ability to make good decisions. In the last half of that career, while in sales, my job was to help other people make decisions. There is an entire industry built around the process of making decisions. Clearly, we CAN decide to move one way, or another... at will.
For sure, there is much about us that is pre-determined by our biology... but, it's not ALL. Upbringing and experiences influence us too. As do structured rules in society. When the US strengthened penalties against drunk driving, people CHANGED their behavior. Well, at least.. MOST people did. Any who were incapable eventually are removed from society.
So yes, maybe there are a few who are SO ADDICTED, they cannot change. But, they either find a way to change, to confirm to the norm, or they are forcible removed from society.
Experience has shown that most addicts CAN change, but they need help from others to learn how. Practically every successful recovery from addiction that I've seen in my life was facilitated by an increase in religious faith. Those who truly lean on Jesus, find their way out of their pit of misery.