Bejinha's Reviews > Determined: A Science of Life without Free Will

A compelling and timely book. At times, it delves deeply into technical details, discussing tables, cell membranes, and chemistry. But most of the time it is fun.
From the 5th century BCE, Parmenides posited that the Earth wasn't flat, using the observation that the North Star appears lower in the sky when one travels south. Yet, it took millennia for the majority to acknowledge the Earth's roundness. And, according to the internet, some remain skeptical to this day.
The resistance to this reality is multifaceted. Primarily, it challenges our intuitive perception – our surroundings seemingly affirm a flat Earth. Yet, from Parmenides's observations to the iconic 1976 photograph by the Apollo 17 crew showcasing Earth in space, science consistently confirms the planet's spherical nature.
An age-old illusion, discussed since the times of Heraclitus and explored by Sapolsky in this book, is humanity's belief in free will.
Despite our conviction that we're architects of our daily decisions, countless external factors shape our choices:
* The neural connections established in utero.
* The corticosteroid and adrenaline levels in our mothers during pregnancy.
* Our parents' lifestyles, stresses, and the environment we grew up in.
* The events and places we encountered during our formative years.
Our decisions, like delaying gratification or choosing between commitment and material desire, are influenced by our upbringing and familial worldview.
Even though studies by scientists like Benjamin Libet show that decision-related brain activity predates our conscious awareness of the decision, many hold fast to the notions of free will and meritocracy, believing everyone has equal choices available.
Our accomplishments feed our ego, making us believe that if we achieved something, so can others. Yet, we overlook that our neurotransmitter levels, which influence decisions, aren't of our choosing. We don't pick the genes inherited from our parents that significantly shape our personalities and life choices.
Our cultural and familial backgrounds, pivotal in decision-making processes, weren't our choices either. Genetic predispositions, when combined with upbringing, can manifest as variations in behavior — from extreme addictions to social habits.
Contrarily, many believe that the universal laws of causality don't penetrate the human brain. This belief is anchored in self-perception and a yearning for autonomy. However, history and science both emphasize that our decisions, while feeling independent, are shaped by numerous uncontrollable factors.
In essence, we make choices in life much like we decide digestion processes or hormone secretion: our body orchestrates it. The concept of free will, then, remains an illusion.
Acknowledging this intricate web of influences redefines our perspective on choice, responsibility, and promotes a more empathetic view towards the decisions of others.
After all, the steering wheel on this roller coaster we call life isn't really in our hands. It's best to let go and savor the journey.
A few times the author tries to push his own political views like when suggesting forced quarantine for those who chose not to take the covid vaccines. But, as the book suggests, it can be explained by him being overweight and leaning left-wing, the kind of person who was more in danger and the kind of person more inclined to use the government to restrict people's freedom.
For those keen on this subject, starting with Sam Harris's short book might be a good idea. However, Sapolsky's work offers a more comprehensive exploration and a compelling conclusion.