I first stumbled upon the topic of free will, to the best of my memory anyway, in the middle of my undergraduate studies at a small regional university on Canada’s eastern coast. A senior philosophy professor, who is now a friend, allowed me entry into his upper year course without the pre-requisites. Although I’m no philosopher, the rest is history at least when it comes to my interest in these questions. As time has worn on, their convergence with my career choice has been utterly satisfying.
I’m formulating an academic contribution on the topic and among all influences, Robert Sapolsky lies near the top of the list.
He is, in a word, brilliant. Some of it is that kind of brilliance one needs the courage to demonstrate. Some of it is just genius stuff - the specifics, and the communication style. He’s unconfined and an expert on stress response by training.
In addition to all of this, he gives a monumental lecture on Schizophrenia, which I consider required viewing for any serious trainee.
Sapolsky is coming out with a definitive free will manifesto next month. For now, this interview is incredible to chew on. He gets to the meat and potatoes of the free will question in the second half of the interview.
But reader beware.
If you haven’t come into this question, and if you’re open to having some fundamental notions moved around, it is weird.
Thanks Dennis. I will add it to my list of podcasts to listen to.
At a fundamental level, free will is necessary for Consciousness to exist - at least to my mind - and I haven't been convinced yet that Consciousness doesn't exist.
But as I said to my stepson tonight, I am always open to the possibility that I am wrong on just about everything so that I remain open to learning.