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Here’s why science says you do have free will

Here’s why science says you do have free will

FromInstant Genius


Here’s why science says you do have free will

FromInstant Genius

ratings:
Length:
34 minutes
Released:
Jul 4, 2024
Format:
Podcast episode

Description

Did you really choose to listen to this podcast? Or was the decision just the product of neurons firing in your brain, used by biochemical reactions, governed by the laws of physics?

Today, it’s become almost fashionable to chalk how we think and behave up to nothing more than the physical sum of our parts. But our guest in this episode is bucking that trend, arguing that we humans do have autonomy over our lives.

Kevin Mitchell is an associate professor of genetics and neuroscience at Trinity College Dublin and author of Free Agents – How Evolution Gave Us Free Will. He argues that free will isn’t just an illusion, and that evolution proves that we’re more than mere machines simply responding to the world around us.

Will you choose to believe him?
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Released:
Jul 4, 2024
Format:
Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

Whether you’re curious about getting healthy, the Big Bang or the science of cooking, find out everything you need to know in under 30 minutes with Instant Genius. The team behind BBC Science Focus Magazine talk to world-leading experts to bring you a bite-sized masterclass on a new subject each week.New episodes are released every Monday and Friday and you can subscribe to Instant Genius on Apple Podcasts to access all new episodes ad-free and all old episodes of Instant Genius Extra. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.