One of the world's greatest scientists of human behaviour shows that free will does not exist - and challenges us to rethink the very notion of choice, identity, responsibility, justice, morality and how we live together. 'One of the best scientist-writers of our time' Oliver Sacks 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.
Uncommon Wisdom Conversations With Remarkable People
Fritjof Capra
Flamingo/Harper Collins Publishers
The Explorers Gene Why We Seek Big Challenges New Flavors And The Blank Spots On The Map
Alex Hutchinson
Mariner Books/Harper Collins Publishers
The Better Angels Of Our Nature A History Of Violence And Humanity
Steven Pinker
Penguin Random House Group
Superintelligence Paths Dangers Strategies
Nick Bostrom
Oxford University Press
Size
Vaclav Smil
The Information
James Gleick
Books Do Furnish A Life
Richard Dawkins
What If Serious Scientific Answers To Absurd Hypothetical Questions
Randall Munroe
John Murray/Hachette Book Group
Next A Brief History Of The Future
Avi Jorisch
Jaico Publishing House, India
We Are Not Alone
Walter Sullivan
Mcgraw Hill Book Company
Fill up your details to notify you when this book will be available