Determined

I had to pick this (apparently)

Sapolsky advances a very controversial argument about the lack of truly free will drawing on a wide range of science, observation, and his own research. I found myself constantly arguing with him in my head, and I'm still not entirely sure I am persuaded. But the argument is definitely worth grappling with.

New York Times bestselling author and renowned neuroscientist Robert M. Sapolsky strikes (again) with its latest book, Determined. With his profound understanding of the human brain, Sapolsky dismantles the notion of free will covering a spectrum of disciplines— from neuroscience to ethics, philosophy to physics. He explains why every action in our lives stems from various complex and predetermined factors beyond our control, yet emphasizes why we shouldn't be afraid of this reality. Ultimately, the book fosters empathy and acceptance. While Determined may be challenging for those less scientifically inclined, it is undeniably compelling, and in my opinion, worth the… show more.

Like the author, I spent decades studying the interplay of genes and the environment. His focus is behavior, while mine is cancer—and, more recently, lifestyle and behavior, since many chronic diseases are heavily influenced by the environment.

Making science, philosophy, and the history of medicine accessible to the average reader, Sapolsky argues that our decisions are influenced by “biology” writ large.

This book tackles a dense, difficult, and controversial topic—whether we have free will—and passionately and convincingly argues that we do not. Thus, it takes a minority perspective (one that, not coincidentally, I agree with!) and provides a wealth of supporting material, mostly from neurobiology but also from developmental psychology, anthropology, evolutionary biology, and genetics, along with a powerful dose of logic, to buttress its viewpoint.

It will challenge those who disagree, provide potent backup for those who agree, and is liberally interspersed with often hilarious asides and personal anecdotes. It is informative and accessible science at its very best! Immanuel… show more.