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Determined

The Science of Life Without Free Will

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Determined

By: Robert M. Sapolsky
Narrated by: Kaleo Griffith
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

One of the world’s greatest scientists of human behaviour, the bestselling author of Behave, shows that free will does not exist - and sets out the disturbing yet liberating implications of accepting this fact.

What if free will is an illusion? As Robert Sapolsky shows in this masterful account of the science of human behaviour, everything we think and do is caused by the luck of our biology and the influence of our environment, and ultimately both are beyond our control. In a world without free will, we must completely rethink what we mean by choice, responsibility, morality and justice. Sapolsky’s extraordinary book does exactly this, guiding us toward a profoundly fairer, more humane way of living together.

‘A joy to read. It's impossible to recommend this book too highly. Reading it could change your life’ LAURENCE REES

‘Outstanding for its breadth of research, the liveliness of the writing and the depth of humanity it conveys’ Wall Street Journal

‘Moving, absorbing, compassionate' OLIVER BURKEMAN, Observer

©2023 Robert M Sapolsky (P)2023 Penguin Audio Biological Sciences Biology Ethics & Morality Philosophy Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science Society Thought-Provoking Health Human Brain Mental Health Morality

Critic reviews

[A] highly entertaining account of why … we should and must overcome the infuriating conspiracy of mind that insists we are the authors of our actions. Anyone who believes otherwise needs to read it (Philip Ball)
Wonderfully readable ... humorous and warm and humane (Justin Webb)
All stars
Most relevant
Not a serious argument for its premise; it basically tells us that no such argument is needed. This instead is a quick review of the coolest findings in nature (and the lab) that relate to the topic. Repeating: "please see the pdf footnote" every second sentence is unforgivable. But (despite that stubborn choice) there is too much riveting material in here to make me stop listening (though I was tempted a few times).

Unserious but passionate and fascinating

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This book is a gift to humanity and life on our planet. Thank you to the author for bringing such humour, wisdom and compassion to our understanding of our greatest difficulties and successes.

A gift to humanity

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Every 5 minutes, it says the same thing. Curiously the pdf does not even include a list of chapters or references list. People have got to get better at audio books.

Please see the accompanying pdf for a foot note

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An excellent book that resonates with my own beliefs. It reinforces what I've felt for a long time, that we are not in control and life is one big rollercoaster.

I recommend taking the time to listen to this, even when it gets quite technical.

This book makes you stop and think

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Enjoyed it immensely. Some might claim it takes a rather leftist position. For those enjoying this, check out 'The Genetic Lottery' and ''The Tyranny of the Meritocracy'. Also, obviously, anything you have not already read by Richard Dawkins.

Preaching to the choir

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