This article is an excerpt from the Shortform book guide to "Determined" by Robert Sapolsky. Shortform has the world's best summaries and analyses of books you should be reading.
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Is free will real or just an illusion? Could quantum mechanics hold the key to understanding our ability to make choices?
In his book Determined, Robert Sapolsky picks apart arguments in favor of free will. He even dives into the fascinating world of subatomic particles and their potential impact on human decision-making, as some people believe there’s a connection between quantum indeterminacy and free will.
Read more to understand the issue and Sapolsky’s arguments.
Quantum Indeterminacy and Free Will
In his book, Sapolsky addresses the concept of quantum indeterminacy. Free will, some say, is made possible by quantum mechanics. Subatomic particles such as electrons and quarks, which—for reasons that even the world’s top physicists don’t yet understand—behave according to completely different rules from larger objects. Some people believe that those rules, collectively called quantum mechanics, make free will a possibility.
Specifically, quantum indeterminacy states that a subatomic particle’s behavior at any given moment is not the result of what happened the moment before. Scientists have observed this in numerous experiments with subatomic particles; identical starting conditions can produce different results, which overturns a fundamental point of determinism.
Therefore, it seems that subatomic particles aren’t bound by the same deterministic laws that larger objects are. So, the argument goes, could it be said that those particles are choosing how to behave? And doesn’t that suggest that people—who are, after all, made of such subatomic particles—might be able to do the same?
(Shortform note: Quantum indeterminacy is closely related to what’s commonly known as Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle. This principle states that at the quantum level, there are certain pairs of properties that can’t be known simultaneously. The classic example is that it’s impossible to know both the speed and the location of an electron. This is because these subatomic particles also have properties of waves, which don’t exist at one fixed location; by definition, a wave cannot be a single point. It’s crucial to note that this uncertainty isn’t a failure of measurements or calculations, but rather a reflection of the fact that—due to their dual nature as both particles and waves—electrons don’t have fixed speeds and positions. In other words, their behavior is indeterminate.)
Arguments Against Free Will Via Quantum Indeterminacy
As with the other theories we’ve discussed, Sapolsky has several arguments against the idea that quantum indeterminacy makes free will possible.
The first flaw in this theory is right in the name: The particles’ behavior is indeterminate. This means their actions aren’t being controlled (which is to say, determined) by any other force, including the force of will. So, even if quantum mechanics do allow for multiple courses of action arising from the same starting point, it still wouldn’t be you choosing which course to take.
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Here's what you'll find in our full Determined summary:
- Why some people believe we have free will—and others don’t
- Three implications of a world without free will
- Why we should live as though free will doesn’t exist (even if it does)
