Lecture Notes on Free Will and Determism from Dr. Robert Sapolsky
Introduction
Frontal Cortex: Free from strict genetic influences; sculpted by environment and experience over a quarter-century.
Dr. Robert Sapolsky: Professor at Stanford, expertise in biology, neurology, neurosurgery. Author of several bestselling books like "Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers," "The Trouble with Testosterone," and "Determined."
Evolution of Free Will Concept
Initial concept explained in "Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst" (2017).
Realization: The concept of lack of free will needed to be more explicitly stated, hence "Determined."
Arguments against Free Will
Common Belief: Free will seen as conscious choice, awareness of consequences, and availability of alternatives.
Sapolsky's Argument: This view misses the underlying biology and environmental interactions shaping intent.
The Role of Language in Free Will
Language describing human actions is loaded with notions of free will.
Causality vs. Free Will: Causing something to happen isn't the same as free will. Important question: "How did you become the person to make that choice?"
Distributed Causality
Definition: Multiple factors (biology, environment, history) contribute to shaping behavior and decisions.
Influences range from moments before the action to ancestral cultural practices shaping brain development.
Example: Phineas Gage - massive brain damage, changes in behavior due to damage to the frontal cortex.
Short-term Influences on Behavior
Environment, situations, and physical states (hunger, stress) modify immediate decisions and behaviors.
Example: Judges' parole decisions influenced by meals, demonstrating brain energy's impact.
Addressing Dangerous Behavior
Dangerous individuals need quarantine, not moral punishment. Focus is on understanding and addressing root causes.
Analogy: Pilots and antihistamines - Manage the immediate issue without moral judgment.
Long-term Influences from Evolution and Culture
Evolution: Delayed maturation of the frontal cortex to allow for environmental learning and adaptation.
Cultural Impact: Parenting styles, societal norms, and ancestral practices shape brain development and behavior.
Practical Insights
Importance of understanding distributed causality in personal and societal judgment.
Realization that praise, blame, reward, and punishment may not align with the understanding of determinism.
Final Thoughts
A call for thoughtful skepticism and understanding of behavior as the product of complex, multiple influences.