Title: The Determinists: Harris, Sapolsky, Hossenfelder and the Free Will Debate
Author: Lawrence David Rose
Publisher: Non-Locality Press
ISBN: 979-8985876970
Pages: 289
Genre: Nonfiction / Free Will & Determinism
Reviewer: Christina Avina
Pacific Book Review
One of the age-old debates amongst humanity has always been the question of free will. For some there is no doubt a person’s life is determined by some sort of external force, whether it is from some sort of benevolent creator due to their religious beliefs, or some form of destiny. For others, however, there is no doubt a person determines the kind of life which they will live, leading them to become firm believers in the idea of free will itself.
In author Lawrence David Rose’s The Determinists: Harris, Sapolsky, Hossenfelder and the Free Will Debate, the author explores the concept of free will in relation to an opposing philosophical belief system known as determinism, exploring the arguments made by three of the leading advocates for the determinist movement. The author delves into not only the specifics of their arguments, but the responses to those arguments by free will advocates and philosophers alike. The book also takes the time to examine the questions and philosophical debates these two viewpoints have yet to answer or explain.
The author wrote in a straightforward and educational tone that really allowed me to examine both sides of this debate with open eyes. The level of detail the author was able to immerse into this book and the exploration of both philosophical viewpoints through both a scientific and philosophical lens allowed me to gain a broader understanding of this topic and determine which side of the argument to land on. The author expertly weaves in the arguments made by these three prominent determinist philosophers and advocates while also using a strong voice not to persuade one way or the other, but to thoroughly explore each way of thinking in an honest way.
Readers who enjoy nonfiction books, especially those that utilize a philosophical approach to the world and explore concepts of free will and determinism will thoroughly enjoy and be educated by this book. Some of the work which most fascinated me was the infusion of scientific theories that lean into this question. In particular the use of quantum mechanics and theories, such as the many world’s theory, or as popular culture knows it as the Multiverse, was particularly fascinating as it explores the idea of some sort of balance between free will and determinism, with this theory highlighting the real ideas that a person’s choices could lead to branching realities where the opposite choice was made. These questions engage the reader on a deeper level and help them to explore broader ideas of how the Universe itself works.
