BS 213 Kevin Mitchell explores Free Will

BS 213 Kevin Mitchell explores Free Will

Author: Ginger Campbell, MD October 27, 2023 Duration: 1:26:15

In the this episode of Brain Science we talk with neuroscientist Kevin Mitchell about his new book Free Agents: How Evolution Gave Us Free Will. While many neuroscientists and philosophers argue that free will is an illusion, Mitchell argues that the ability to make meaningful choices is part of our evolutionary heritage. He also addresses the important issue of determinism, siding with those physicists who argue that the fundamental nature of our universe is NOT deterministic. These issues are crucial to how we see ourselves and others.

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How does a three-pound organ of wet tissue-the human brain-create the entire subjective experience of being you? Brain Science with Ginger Campbell, MD: Neuroscience for Everyone tackles that profound mystery and many others, translating complex research into compelling conversations. Hosted by Dr. Ginger Campbell, an experienced physician and 2022 Podcast Hall of Fame inductee, this podcast digs into the latest books and ideas in neuroscience with leading researchers and authors. The discussions move beyond dry academic summaries to explore the real-world implications of brain science-how it shapes our health, fitness, mental life, and understanding of consciousness itself. What you'll hear are clear, thoughtful dialogues that make cutting-edge discoveries accessible, whether you have a PhD or simply a deep curiosity about why we think, feel, and behave the way we do. Each episode is an investigation into the mechanisms behind perception, memory, emotion, and decision-making, revealing the biological underpinnings of our shared humanity. This is a long-running podcast dedicated to the idea that everyone can engage with these fundamental questions, guided by a host whose medical background and genuine enthusiasm provide a trustworthy and engaging pathway into the material. Listen for a deeper appreciation of the most fascinating subject there is: the human mind, explored through the rigorous yet welcoming lens of neuroscience.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Brain Science with Ginger Campbell, MD: Neuroscience for Everyone
Podcast Episodes
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Duration: 0:00
At the end of last month's episode I announced that it was the last regular episode of Brain Science. It has been 17 years since episode 1 was released on December 15, 2023 and I am extremely grateful to everyone who has…
BS 214 Seventeenth Annual Review Episode [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:27
This is the 17th Annual Review episode of Brain Science, celebrating the first episode which aired on December 15, 2006. We review the highlights of 2023, which included both new guests and the return of several favorite…
BS 212 Thomas Metzinger on "The Ego Tunnel" (Encore) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:36
This month's episode of Brain Science features Thomas Metzinger, author of "The Ego Tunnel: The Science of the Mind and the Myth of the Self." Metzinger is a philosopher with a longstanding interest in Philosophy of Mind…
BS 211 Molecular Biologist Seth Grant [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:15
This episode of Brain Science features the return of molecular biologist Seth Grant. We briefly review his decades of research into the complexity of the protein structure of the synapse and then we focus on his most rec…
BS 210 Introduction to Neurotransmitters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:48
This episode is our first review of neurotransmitters since episode 8 way back in 2007. We start with some basics of neuron function and brain anatomy, but the meat of the episode is a discussion of neurotransmitters and…
BS 209 Luiz Pessoa "The Entangled Brain" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:22
This month's episode of Brain Science is an interview with Luiz Pessoa, author of The Entangled Brain: How Perception, Cognition, and Emotion Are Woven Together. This is Pessoa's first book aimed at a general audience an…
BS 208 "Foolproof" with Sander van der Linden [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:21
This month's episode is an interview with Cambridge Psychology professor Sander van der Linden, author of "Foolproof: Why Misinformation Infects Our Minds and How to Build Immunity." We discuss the important topic of how…
BS 207 Luiz Pessoa "The Cognitive-Emotional Brain" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:38
This month's episode is an encore presentation of an interview with neuroscientist Luiz Pessoa discussing his fascinating book "The Cognitive-Emotional Brain: From Interactions to Integration." We explored the surprising…
BS 206: Paco Calvo explores Plant Intelligence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:04
This month we have an intriguing interview with Dr. Paco Calvo from the Minimal Intelligence Laboratory at the University of Mercia in Spain. We talk with him about his new book Planta Sapiens: The New Science of Intelli…
BS 205  Molecular Biologist Guy Caldwell (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:35
In this follow-up interview with molecular biologist Dr. Guy Caldwell we learn more about how the tools of molecular biology are used to unravel questions in neurobiology and provide hope for better treatments for proble…