Is Free Will An Illusion?

This episode of Talking Books is a decided change of pace from our more typical fair of political science and current events. Harry talks with Robert Sapolsky, a national prominent professor of neurological sciences at Stanford, the recipient of a MacArthur foundation Genius Grant, and the author of many nonfiction works about primate and human behavior. Sapolsky’s latest book, “Determined,” vigorously advances the counterintuitive position that we do not possess free will. Sapolsky marshals data and learning from multiple fields to argue that human outcomes are a determined product of the confluence of countless factors going back to even before the life of the actor. The discussion probes the basis for Sapolsky’s long-held position, considers some strong counter arguments, and finishes with a discussion of the implications of Sapolsky’s view for punishment and moral responsibility. – TALKING FEDS PODCAST is a roundtable discussion that brings together prominent former government officials, journalis