Determinism and the Illusion of Free Will

Ernst Mayr's Observations on Animal Behavior

Ernst Mayr, a prominent Harvard ornithologist and evolutionary biologist, argued that animals are mere rote machines, programmed to behave in specific ways. This view has influenced the field of evolutionary biology, leading to the belief that living beings lack any real agency.

Robert Sapolsky's Deterministic Argument

Robert Sapolsky, a neuroscientist and primatologist, further expands the argument for determinism, claiming that humans, like animals, are wholly determined by various factors and lack free will. He dismisses evidence suggesting otherwise and assigns undue weight to factors influencing behavior.

Scientific Evidence and the Burden of Proof

Sapolsky's reliance on non-deterministic evidence remains problematic. While acknowledging that many factors influence behavior, Sapolsky fails to demonstrate that they fully determine it. The burden of proof lies with those claiming human agency, but Sapolsky's standards for proof are unjustifiably strict.

Influences and Determinist Beliefs

Deterministic beliefs often emerge from religious and theological roots. Laplace, a mathematician and astronomer, posited an omniscient force that eliminates uncertainty and asserts that all events are predetermined. This view has influenced scientific determinism, replacing God with omnipotent natural forces.

The Metaphor of Stacked Turtles

Sapolsky employs the metaphor of stacked turtles to illustrate his deterministic beliefs, arguing that believing in free will is as absurd as believing in a turtle floating in the air. However, this is a false dichotomy, as belief in free will does not necessarily imply a supernatural origin.

The Persistence of Deterministic Models

Despite advancements in science and arguments against determinism, it persists in modern society. Influential scientists like Sapolsky continue to promote it, echoing earlier theological arguments. The influence of theological determinism remains a significant factor in these beliefs.

Phineas Gage and the Material Brain

Sapolsky uses the Phineas Gage case, where a metal rod pierced the brain, to argue that personality depends on the material brain, implying a lack of free will. However, this argument overlooks the complexities of human intelligence and the possibility that living beings possess an active capacity.

The Influence of Paley's Design Argument

Sapolsky's deterministic views share similarities with Paley's design argument, which suggests that the complexity of living organisms proves the existence of a divine designer. Mayr borrowed this idea, distorting Darwin's work.

After Darwin: Neo-Darwinism and Passive Organisms

After Darwin's death, neo-Darwinian theorists imported the earlier idea of God's absolute power into natural selection. Followers like Weismann asserted that organisms were passive and incapable of influencing evolutionary processes.

Sapolsky's Humanitarian Purpose

Sapolsky's deterministic beliefs lead him to propose that criminals are not responsible for their actions, leading him to advocate for a medical-style "quarantine." However, this approach overlooks the importance of agency in humanitarian thought.

The Perils of Scientism

Sapolsky's claim that science proves there is no free will is an example of scientism, the overextension of scientific claims. Science cannot definitively prove the absence of free will as it is a philosophical question.

Darwin's Observations of Galapagos Tortoises

Darwin's observations of Galapagos tortoises demonstrate the purposeful and active nature of living beings, challenging the deterministic perspective. The tortoises displayed agency and intelligence in their behavior.