Determined
Life Without Free Will
Seiten
2023
The Bodley Head Ltd (Verlag)
978-1-84792-554-1 (ISBN)
The Bodley Head Ltd (Verlag)
978-1-84792-554-1 (ISBN)
One of the world's greatest scientists of human behaviour, the bestselling author of Behave, shows that free will does not exist - and challenges us to rethink the notions of choice, identity, responsibility, justice, morality and how we live together.
'One of the best scientist-writers of our time' OLIVER SACKS
'Moving, absorbing, compassionate' OLIVER BURKEMAN, Observer
Behind every thought, action and experience there lies a chain of biological and environmental causes, stretching back from the moment a neuron fires to the dawn of our species and beyond. Nowhere in this infinite sequence is there a place where free will could play a role.
Without free will, it makes no more sense to punish people for antisocial behaviour than it does to scold a car for breaking down. It is no one's fault they are poor or overweight or unsuccessful, nor do people deserve praise for their talent or hard work; 'grit' is a myth. This mechanistic view of human behaviour challenges our most powerful instincts, but history suggests that we have already made great strides toward it: where once we saw demonic possession or cowardice, for example, now we diagnose illness or trauma and offer help.
Determined confronts us with our true nature: who and what we are is biology and nothing more. Disturbing and liberating in equal measure, it explores the far-reaching implications for society of accepting this reality. Monumentally difficult as it may be, the reward will be a far more just and humane world.
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
‘Utterly fascinating … with mind-boggling implications’ FRANS DE WAAL
'Wonderfully readable ... humorous and warm and humane' Justin Webb, Today (BBC Radio 4)
'One of the best scientist-writers of our time' OLIVER SACKS
'Moving, absorbing, compassionate' OLIVER BURKEMAN, Observer
Behind every thought, action and experience there lies a chain of biological and environmental causes, stretching back from the moment a neuron fires to the dawn of our species and beyond. Nowhere in this infinite sequence is there a place where free will could play a role.
Without free will, it makes no more sense to punish people for antisocial behaviour than it does to scold a car for breaking down. It is no one's fault they are poor or overweight or unsuccessful, nor do people deserve praise for their talent or hard work; 'grit' is a myth. This mechanistic view of human behaviour challenges our most powerful instincts, but history suggests that we have already made great strides toward it: where once we saw demonic possession or cowardice, for example, now we diagnose illness or trauma and offer help.
Determined confronts us with our true nature: who and what we are is biology and nothing more. Disturbing and liberating in equal measure, it explores the far-reaching implications for society of accepting this reality. Monumentally difficult as it may be, the reward will be a far more just and humane world.
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
‘Utterly fascinating … with mind-boggling implications’ FRANS DE WAAL
'Wonderfully readable ... humorous and warm and humane' Justin Webb, Today (BBC Radio 4)
Robert M. Sapolsky is a professor of biology and neurology at Stanford University and the recipient of a MacArthur Foundation 'Genius Grant'. His previous books includes the international bestseller Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst, The Trouble with Testosterone, Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers and A Primate's Memoir.
| Erscheinungsdatum | 05.05.2023 |
|---|---|
| Verlagsort | London |
| Sprache | englisch |
| Maße | 153 x 234 mm |
| Gewicht | 631 g |
| Themenwelt | Geisteswissenschaften ► Philosophie ► Ethik |
| Naturwissenschaften ► Biologie ► Humanbiologie | |
| Sozialwissenschaften ► Soziologie | |
| ISBN-10 | 1-84792-554-5 / 1847925545 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1-84792-554-1 / 9781847925541 |
| Zustand | Neuware |
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Buch | Hardcover (2023)
wbg Theiss in Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft (WBG) (Verlag)
CHF 46,90
