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  • Determined

  • The Science of Life Without Free Will
  • By: Robert M. Sapolsky
  • Narrated by: Kaleo Griffith
  • Length: 14 hrs and 4 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (107 ratings)

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Determined cover art

Determined

By: Robert M. Sapolsky
Narrated by: Kaleo Griffith
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

One of the world’s greatest scientists of human behaviour, the bestselling author of
Behave, shows that free will does not exist - and sets out the disturbing yet liberating implications of accepting this fact.

What if free will is an illusion? As Robert Sapolsky shows in this masterful account of the science of human behaviour, everything we think and do is caused by the luck of our biology and the influence of our environment, and ultimately both are beyond our control. In a world without free will, we must completely rethink what we mean by choice, responsibility, morality and justice. Sapolsky’s extraordinary book does exactly this, guiding us toward a profoundly fairer, more humane way of living together.

‘A joy to read. It's impossible to recommend this book too highly. Reading it could change your life’ LAURENCE REES

‘Outstanding for its breadth of research, the liveliness of the writing and the depth of humanity it conveys’ Wall Street Journal

‘Moving, absorbing, compassionate' OLIVER BURKEMAN, Observer

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Robert M Sapolsky (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

[A] highly entertaining account of why … we should and must overcome the infuriating conspiracy of mind that insists we are the authors of our actions. Anyone who believes otherwise needs to read it (Philip Ball)
Wonderfully readable ... humorous and warm and humane (Justin Webb)

What listeners say about Determined

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The most profound unimpeachable truth about life

10/10. Brilliantly written! A superb listen! Shatters the magical feel good stories we tell ourselves with the liberating reality of life! Must listen!

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Freeing and refreshing

I loved every minute of that book, and it left me hopeful, and calm. Embracing determinism seems scary at first but the new perspective, distance and compassion capabilities it unlocks are worth it.

The science-y stuff gets tough to grasp at times, this book requires full focus. However, the author's ability to synthesize and provide imaginative examples is a pleasant payoff after any detailed experiment description.

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An outstanding book. Everyone should read this.

Excellently written by an incredibly knowledgeable author. This will change how you think about life and those around you.

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A great read, opens the lid on human behaviour.

Clear narrative and well referenced science. I hope this is the beginning of a new understanding of human behaviour.

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Life changing

A book that I expect is life changing for many and informative to others.

Well structured and simplified enough for most readers who are not neuroscientists. With the addition of experience in its thinking on top of high quality research.

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My Brain Has Melted

This bloke is amazing but I was totally out of my depth. Please let me know when you print the pop-up book version, and I’ll give it another shot.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Deeply depressing book but insightful

One of the only insights I got from this book was the bumper sticker. Now I just need to buy a load of bumper stickers. It's a pretty depressing book if you ask me insightful but depressing

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Footnotes Problem

This is a good book well read. BUT it is irritating beyond toleration that every time the reader comes to a footnote (and there are a lot of footnotes) he intones the refrain "Please see the accompanying PDF for a footnote." To make matters even more ridiculous, the accompanying PDF does not contain so much as a single footnote. It is a collection of various graphics. Sadly there is nobody to blame for this crazy mix up because those responsible had no free will.

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Enlightening and compelling

Well worth listening all the way through to hear the authors conclusions rather than jumping to your own.

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Great thoughtful read

genuinely good read. right mix of scientific current factoids in a interesting and thoughtful story arc. leaves one with quite a few things to ponder.

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