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.
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.
Publisher: Vintage PublishingISBN: 9781847925534Number of pages: 528Weight: 780 gDimensions: 241 x 160 x 146 mm
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'One of the best scientist-writers of our time'- Oliver Sacks
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