I don't believe in free will. This is why.

Sabine Hossenfelder・16 minutes read

The text discusses the recipe for classic spaghetti carbonara and the influence of the past on the future, touching on the deterministic nature of particle behavior with occasional random quantum jumps. The speaker aligns with hard incompatibilism, denying the existence of free will and highlighting how the concept can mislead individuals about their control over their thoughts and actions.

Insights

  • The speaker emphasizes the deterministic nature of human behavior, attributing decisions and actions to the influence of the Big Bang and the standard model of particle physics.
  • Philosophical debates on free will, ranging from compatibilism to libertarianism, are dismissed by the speaker in favor of hard incompatibilism, asserting that humans lack free will and are subject to deterministic processes, occasionally interrupted by random quantum jumps.

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Recent questions

  • How do you make classic spaghetti carbonara?

    To make classic spaghetti carbonara, start by boiling spaghetti until it is al dente. In a separate pan, cook guanciale until it becomes crispy. In a bowl, whisk together eggs with pecorino cheese and black pepper. Once the spaghetti is cooked, combine it with the cooked guanciale. Off the heat, add the egg mixture to the spaghetti and guanciale, stirring quickly. Serve the dish immediately, garnished with extra cheese and pepper.

  • What are the main ingredients for spaghetti carbonara?

    The main ingredients for spaghetti carbonara are spaghetti, eggs, pecorino cheese, guanciale, and black pepper. These simple ingredients come together to create a delicious and classic Italian pasta dish.

  • How is human behavior influenced by particle physics?

    Human behavior is influenced by particle physics through the interactions of stable particles like electrons, quarks, photons, and gluons that form humans. Equations from the standard model of particle physics govern human behavior, although the complexity makes them unsolvable. The deterministic nature of particle behavior, with occasional random quantum jumps, plays a role in shaping human actions and decisions.

  • What philosophical perspectives exist on free will?

    Philosophical perspectives on free will range from compatibilism to libertarianism. Compatibilism suggests that free will can coexist with determinism, while libertarianism argues for the existence of free will independent of determinism. The speaker in the text aligns with hard incompatibilism, denying the existence of free will and asserting that humans lack true control over their actions.

  • How does the concept of free will relate to the Big Bang?

    The concept of free will is discussed in relation to the Big Bang, which set off a chain of causes leading to the present moment. The deterministic nature of particle behavior, influenced by the Big Bang, raises questions about free will and the extent of human control over decisions and actions. The speaker dismisses the question of free will as uninteresting, emphasizing the deterministic influence of the universe on human behavior.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

Classic Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe

  • Recipe for classic spaghetti carbonara
  • Ingredients: spaghetti, eggs, pecorino cheese, guanciale, black pepper
  • Boil spaghetti until al dente
  • Cook guanciale until crispy
  • Whisk eggs with cheese and pepper
  • Combine cooked spaghetti with guanciale
  • Add egg mixture, stirring quickly off heat
  • Serve immediately garnished with extra cheese and pepper

00:00

Determinism and Free Will in Particle Physics

  • The future is shaped by the past, with the exception of random quantum jumps beyond control.
  • Causes have a chain of causes leading back to the Big Bang, raising questions about free will.
  • The speaker dismisses the question of free will as uninteresting, asserting that humans lack free will.
  • Decisions and actions are discussed in the context of the Big Bang's influence.
  • The universe is composed of 25 particles within the standard model of particle physics.
  • Stable particles like electrons, quarks, photons, and gluons form humans.
  • Human behavior is governed by equations from the standard model, though unsolvable due to complexity.
  • The deterministic nature of particle behavior is highlighted, with occasional random quantum jumps.
  • Emergent properties arise from interactions of constituents, not existing at the elementary particle level.
  • The decoupling of scales in physics allows for the disregard of small-scale details in large-scale phenomena.
  • Philosophical perspectives on free will range from compatibilism to libertarianism.
  • The speaker aligns with hard incompatibilism, denying the existence of free will.
  • The brain's decision-making process is described as deterministic with occasional randomness.
  • The inaccurate concept of free will can mislead individuals about their control over their thoughts and actions.
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