Do We Have Freewill? / Daniel Dennett VS Robert Sapolsky

How To Academy Mindset・2 minutes read

The debate on free will at the HowTo Academy features speakers Robert Spolski and Dan Dennett, with Spolski arguing against the existence of free will and Dennett advocating for both determinism and free will. Spolski focuses on biological and environmental influences on decision-making, while Dennett emphasizes the evolution of skills and the importance of self-control in shaping behavior and societal norms.

Insights

  • Robert Spolski argues that free will does not exist, emphasizing biological and environmental influences on decision-making, while Dan Dennett counters by asserting belief in both determinism and free will, highlighting the evolution of skills and the role of civilization in developing essential abilities.
  • The discussion delves into the philosophical implications of free will, with one side viewing it as a social construct akin to money, while the other side argues that personal values and decisions shape one's actions, ultimately touching on the idea that individuals are the sum of biological and environmental factors they had no control over, influencing their present behavior.

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Recent questions

  • What is the debate at the HowTo Academy about?

    The debate at the HowTo Academy focuses on Free Will.

  • Who are the two speakers in the debate?

    The speakers are Robert Spolski and Dan Dennett.

  • What does Robert Spolski argue about free will?

    Robert Spolski argues that free will does not exist.

  • What is Dan Dennett's view on determinism and free will?

    Dan Dennett believes in both determinism and free will.

  • What is the central point of the debate on Free Will?

    The central point is that Free Will does not hinge on indeterminism but on randomness.

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Summary

00:00

Debate on Free Will: Determinism vs Choice

  • David Malone welcomes everyone to the HowTo Academy for a debate on Free Will.
  • Two speakers, Robert Spolski and Dan Dennett, will discuss determinism and free will.
  • Robert Spolski is a biology and neurology professor at Stanford University and has written a book called "Determined: Life Without Free Will."
  • Dan Dennett is an emeritus philosophy professor at Tufts University and has written extensively on consciousness and free will, with a new book called "I've Been Thinking."
  • The debate will cover determinism, free will, and the nature of choices.
  • Listeners can participate in a poll to indicate their stance on free will or determinism.
  • Each speaker will have 10 minutes to present their views, followed by a response and a discussion.
  • Robert Spolski argues that free will does not exist, emphasizing the biological and environmental influences on decision-making.
  • He delves into the impact of childhood experiences, genetics, culture, and even fetal life on shaping behavior.
  • Dan Dennett counters by asserting belief in both determinism and free will, highlighting the evolution of skills and the role of civilization in developing essential abilities.

17:19

Evolution of Self-Control and Free Will

  • Evolution is centered around the development of self-control, a skill that sets humans apart due to their perceptual organs and ability to foresee and prevent harm.
  • Tom Wolf's quote emphasizes the importance of self-control in being held responsible and holding oneself accountable.
  • Self-control is crucial for actions like driving, where individuals with sufficient self-control are deemed safe on the highway.
  • The necessity of drawing a line is highlighted, indicating that some individuals lack the self-control required to be considered responsible agents.
  • Free will is depicted as an achievement and a skill that evolves over time, not a metaphysical feature.
  • Progress in understanding free will is acknowledged, with a focus on the improvement in punishments and societal norms over the centuries.
  • The concept of free will evolving over time is discussed, with an emphasis on the growth of self-control and societal advancements.
  • The biological basis of self-control is highlighted, with the prefrontal cortex playing a crucial role in determining an individual's capacity for self-control.
  • Socioeconomic status is shown to impact brain development, with children from impoverished backgrounds facing challenges in prefrontal cortex development.
  • Intuition is critiqued as a poor guide for understanding the world, with historical examples demonstrating how societal beliefs have evolved to align with scientific understanding rather than intuition.

35:22

"Free Will: Chaos, Autonomy, Responsibility, and Evolution"

  • The speaker expresses disappointment in the lack of responsibility taken by the other party for errors made.
  • Rejection of Free Will does not necessarily lead to negative outcomes if one is educated on the origins of behavior.
  • Free Will is not solely dependent on indeterminism but also requires chaos and unpredictability in the brain.
  • The ability to resist external control and maintain autonomy is a key aspect of Free Will.
  • Acknowledgment of personal mental imbalances and striving for Free Will is seen as desirable.
  • The central point is that Free Will does not hinge on indeterminism but on randomness.
  • Evolution relies on randomness, not indeterminism, similar to the concept of Free Will.
  • The two-stage model involves generating options through chaos and then making a conscious choice.
  • Civilization has enabled individuals to counteract biological influences and take responsibility for their actions.
  • The discussion delves into the moral implications of taking responsibility for one's actions and achievements.

54:06

"Free Will vs. Determinism: Philosophical Debate"

  • The debate revolves around the concept of free will and determinism, with one side arguing that people are predetermined to act in certain ways while the other side emphasizes personal choice and responsibility.
  • Studies have shown that manipulating belief in free will can impact ethical behavior, but individuals who inherently do not believe in free will exhibit ethical behavior similar to those who do.
  • The discussion delves into the philosophical implications of free will, with one side viewing it as a social construct akin to money, while the other side argues that personal values and decisions shape one's actions.
  • The idea that individuals are the sum of biological and environmental factors they had no control over is highlighted, emphasizing the influence of past circumstances on present behavior.
  • The debate touches on the notion of responsibility, with one side asserting that most people are inculcated to believe in a higher power holding them accountable, while the other side argues for a more empathic and less blame-focused society.
  • The conversation explores the possibility of changing one's mind, with one side suggesting that personal circumstances and values play a significant role in decision-making, while the other side emphasizes the normalcy of being wired in a way that allows for responsibility and free will.
  • A poll conducted during the discussion shows a shift towards determinism in belief, indicating a potential influence of the debate on audience perspectives.
  • The debate concludes with a reflection on the impact of the discussion and the differing viewpoints presented, with both sides expressing gratitude for the engaging conversation.
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