Free Will
ability of agents to be the ultimate source or originator of their choices, free from external determination
Common Themes
Videos Mentioning Free Will
Reality Check: A Conversation with David Wallace-Wells (Episode #365)
Sam Harris
A topic on which Sam Harris and Dan Dennett disagreed, leading to a public falling out and eventual reconciliation.
LIVE EVENT Q&A: Dr. Andrew Huberman Question & Answer in Chicago, IL
Andrew Huberman
A philosophical concept that Andrew Huberman considers a 'career ender' for discussion, though he acknowledges his friend Robert Sapolsky's book 'Determined' on the topic assumes a lack of free will.
David Wolpe: Judaism | Lex Fridman Podcast #270
Lex Fridman
A concept debated, where Rabbi Wolpe argues it's impossible to logically explain within a purely materialistic framework without a spiritual component or soul.
Brian Greene: Quantum Gravity, The Big Bang, Aliens, Death, and Meaning | Lex Fridman Podcast #232
Lex Fridman
The traditional intuitive notion that humans are the ultimate authors of their actions, a concept challenged by a physicalist perspective of the universe but distinguished from an 'experience of freedom'.
#37 – Zubin Damania, M.D.: Revolutionizing healthcare one hilariously inspiring video at a time
Peter Attia MD
A book by Sam Harris that led Zubin Damania to the conclusion that free will is largely an illusion, influencing his empathic perspective.
Using Meditation to Focus, View Consciousness & Expand Your Mind | Dr. Sam Harris
Andrew Huberman
Topic discussed in relation to the illusion of the self and the subjective experience of authoring thoughts and actions, with Sam Harris arguing that the notion of free will makes no sense from a scientific and contemplative viewpoint.
#34 – Sam Harris, Ph.D.: The transformative power of mindfulness
Peter Attia MD
A book by Sam Harris, mentioned by Peter Attia.
Physics & Philosophy: A Conversation with Tim Maudlin (Episode #318)
Sam Harris
A topic extensively debated between Sam Harris and Tim Maudlin, exploring whether intuitions can be resolved through argument.
Daniel Schmachtenberger: Steering Civilization Away from Self-Destruction | Lex Fridman Podcast #191
Lex Fridman
A book by Sam Harris, which sparked a debate with Daniel Dennett about the existence of free will.
Sam Harris: Consciousness, Free Will, Psychedelics, AI, UFOs, and Meaning | Lex Fridman Podcast #185
Lex Fridman
A book by Sam Harris, whose arguments on the topic are central to this conversation. It's also specifically quoted at the end of the podcast.
#56–Jocko Willink Part 2 of 2: Sleep, fasting, kids, discipline, ownership, & the impact of war
Peter Attia MD
A book written by Sam Harris that delves into the concept of free will, a topic of discussion between Peter and Jocko.
Judea Pearl: Causal Reasoning, Counterfactuals, and the Path to AGI | Lex Fridman Podcast #56
Lex Fridman
The philosophical concept of whether human beings have control over their own actions and decisions, discussed as an illusion that AI may solve.
Does Superdeterminism save Quantum Mechanics? Or does it kill free will and destroy science?
Sabine Hossenfelder
The capacity of agents to choose between different possible courses of action unimpeded. The video explores whether superdeterminism necessitates the absence of free will.