Does Free Will Exist? (B&I 12)

/
This episode is my response to the The Myth of Free Will (2007), which was sent to me by the book's editor Cris Evatt. I felt the topic was very relevant to my recent discussions on the Brain Science Podcast, where we have been exploring the evidence that a surprising amount of decision-making occurs beyond our conscious control. Listen to Books and Ideas #12 Now I have tried to include some interesting references and links below, but I hope you will share more links (especially good blogs) at the new Brain Science Podcast Forum, which is located at http://brainscienceforum.com. I have set aside a section under "Off-Topic Discussions" for discussions about Books and Ideas. The subject of free will is quite controversial. This episode is intended to stimulate thought and discussion, rather than to convince you that I have the answers. Show Notes The difference between political and psychological free will Can a non-physical soul or spirit be controlling our brain's decisions? Naturalism (What is Naturalism? by Thomas W. Clark founder of The Center For Naturalism) What about choice and responsibility? What does neuroscience have to say about free will? Partial List of Writers Whose Work I discuss References and Further Reading Why Choose This Book?: How We Make Decisions (2006) by Read Montague (Dr. Montague was interviewed on the Brain Science Podcast #15.) The Problem of the Soul: Two Visions of Mind and How to Reconcile Them (2003) by Owen Flanagan Freedom Evolves (2003) by Daniel C. Dennett Astonishing Hypothesis: The Scientific Search for the Soul (1994) by Francis Crick Links of Interest Center For Naturalism The Garden of Forking Paths-A philosophy blog devoted to agency theory, including related issues in Philosphy of Action, Moral Psychology, Metaphysics and Ethics I will try to expand this list in the future.
Read More

Does Free Will Exist?

/
Episode 12 of Books and Ideas should be out within the next week. I am going to be exploring the question: Does free will exist? I hope the discussion will be thought-provoking, but I also anticipate that it might generate controversy and disagreement. I am looking forward to listener feedback. If you have not yet visited the new Brain Science Podcast Discussion Forum, you may want to go there and sign up. I have included a section for "off-topic" discussions that includes an area devoted to discussion of the Books and Ideas podcast.
Read More

The Relationship between Science and Philosophy (B&I 5)

/
The main subject of Episode 5 is a discussion of the relationship between science and philosophy. After tracing their common heritage, Dr. Campbell examines why the fields have become estranged and why communication between science and philosophy is important to the advancement and integrity of both disciplines. She argues that individuals should take the opportunity to learn about other fields in order to counteract over specialization. Show Notes Movies: Smokey and the Bandit Close Encounters of the Third Kind Television: Ugly Betty Audiobook: Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen Book: Doubt: A History: The Great Doubters and Their Legacy of Innovation from Socrates and Jesus to Thomas Jefferson and Emily Dickinson by Jennifer Michael Hecht Books and Ideas is committed to exploring ideas from diverse fields. Listen to this episode now Episode Transcript (Download PDF) Subscribe to this podcast Subscribe via iTunes™ Here is a video worth watching! Save the Internet | Rock the Vote
Read More

Comparing Science to Pseudoscience (B&I 1)

/
Episode 1 of Books and Ideas Topics Covered:
Discussion of the difference between science and psuedo-science Books: The Trouble with Physics iWoz Headfirst HTML with CSS and XHTML Television: Studio 60 Buffy the Vampire Slayer: “Season 8? Movies: An Inconvenient Truth: more information about global warming is available at climatecrisis.org Listen to this episode now Subscribe to this podcast
Read More