Free Will [Deckle Edge]
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.
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Community Reviews
I don't believe in free will. But if I did believe in it I don't think this very short book would convince me not to believe it.
Pro:
Sam Harris is one of our greatest minds. He is extremely intelligent and well spoken. He makes intelligent people look average. And this book is easy to understand and well written. Read it in a week and you won't regret it.
Con:
Totally pointless book. Go check out his Youtube podcasts and interviews instead. They are really good and at least as intelligent as this book. While I agree with all the points he makes I think he doesn't really explain why free will does not exist in a good way. His argument is basically: of course it does not exist because it's clear that it doesn't. This is not the best book on the subject. Hell, I have seen 10 minute long Youtube videos that explain it better. But on the other hand, this is by no means a bad or boring book. So, the rating is average. Read it if you are a total beginner in this line of though. Otherwise you can avoid it and not miss out on a lot.
Pro:
Sam Harris is one of our greatest minds. He is extremely intelligent and well spoken. He makes intelligent people look average. And this book is easy to understand and well written. Read it in a week and you won't regret it.
Con:
Totally pointless book. Go check out his Youtube podcasts and interviews instead. They are really good and at least as intelligent as this book. While I agree with all the points he makes I think he doesn't really explain why free will does not exist in a good way. His argument is basically: of course it does not exist because it's clear that it doesn't. This is not the best book on the subject. Hell, I have seen 10 minute long Youtube videos that explain it better. But on the other hand, this is by no means a bad or boring book. So, the rating is average. Read it if you are a total beginner in this line of though. Otherwise you can avoid it and not miss out on a lot.
This makes me deeply uncomfortable, but nonetheless, it's difficult to dispute. I'm also not comfortable with a leap into public policy based on this, unless as Harris suggested we focus the prison system on containing dangers, instead of punishment.
There is a section about observing our thoughts arise on their own that might make more sense to people that have studied and attempted meditation.
There is a section about observing our thoughts arise on their own that might make more sense to people that have studied and attempted meditation.
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