This podcast episode explores the topic of free will and its implications on various aspects of life, such as ethics, criminal justice, and societal norms. The guest speaker, Robert Sapolsky, provides a scientific perspective on free will, arguing against the existence of libertarian free will and discussing the concept of compatibilism. The episode also delves into the debate surrounding complexity theory and downward causation as explanations for free will, as well as the neural underpinnings of consciousness and human behavior. The speakers address the ethical implications of denying free will and discuss alternative approaches to criminal justice. Overall, this episode challenges common notions of free will and highlights the complex interplay between physical processes and human actions.
