Tiff’s Reviews > Determined: A Science of Life without Free Will > Status Update

Omg. Home stretch. This is a phenomenal book. I’ve loved Sapolsky for years, but I’m even more pleased to find out how much of a compassionate radical he is, all using logical arguments against free will. His rejection of criminal justice reform in favour of complete overhaul was so refreshing to read. What a fucking giant.

We probably wouldn’t all run amok if no one believed in free will. Atheists (whaddup!) aren’t any less moral than religious people.

First half of the book, done: I’m basically convinced there’s no free will (not difficult, I’ve always thought we operate inside an invisible cage). Now, on to the second half: What happens if we actually live as if there’s no free will? Knowing Sapolsky, I’ve got some sick story time ahead of me.

Just a thing to note: Robert Sapolsky’s lovely personality shines in the footnotes, which I didn’t know how to access at this point because digitized books have some notable drawbacks re: design.

Pretty great beast of a book so far. It’s been nice getting a refresher on Sapolsky’s greatest neuroscience research from previous books, and I’m looking forward to the section that explores the societal implications of the acceptance that there is no free will.