Free Will

Written by:
Sam Harris
Narrated by:
Sam Harris

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
32
Narrator
8
Release Date
March 2012
Duration
1 hour 15 minutes
Summary
From the New York Times bestselling author of The End of Faith, a thought-provoking, 'brilliant and witty' (Oliver Sacks) look at the notion of free will—and the implications that it is an illusion.

A belief in free will touches nearly everything that human beings value. It is difficult to think about law, politics, religion, public policy, intimate relationships, morality—as well as feelings of remorse or personal achievement—without first imagining that every person is the true source of his or her thoughts and actions. And yet the facts tell us that free will is an illusion.

In this enlightening book, Sam Harris argues that this truth about the human mind does not undermine morality or diminish the importance of social and political freedom, but it can and should change the way we think about some of the most important questions in life.
Reviews
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jimmy sudekum

3.5 stars. Harris has, like other prolific and militant atheists, a narrative tone that can be off-putting and arguments that rarely offer middle ground. This essay is no different. Though Harris is a legitimate scientist who derives his opinions from evidence, the core argument of "Free Will" is a rationalist one. He mentions the fMRI research only briefly, focusing instead on the murky origins of thoughts and actions. Harris argues that the inability to choose one random thought over another dismantles the traditional definition of free will completely. And the argument is sound. At least, I agree with it completely. However, the essay is lacking the scientific and philosophical rigor that most would expect. Those who are well-versed in logic and phenomenology will have a lot of negative things to say about this piece.

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Blake H.

This book will change the way you think. Sam Harris is one of the greatest minds alive today.

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Mike M.

Real Simple - I wish I was as smart as Sam! His explanations are solid and I like all the examples he provides. The bonus is that he is the speaker. His voice provides solid support to the written material. - I have recently purchased another one of his books and have also subscribed to his podcast. - Now I must say I don't agree with some aspects of the writing, but that doesn't preclude me from listening to his works.

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