Two Astrophysicists Debate Free Will

Did you click on this video out of your own free will?

“I want to compare notes” I love that friendly way of saying let’s have a debate

Bold of these gentlemen to assume that I exist in the first place.

This is how adult conversations should go. I really enjoyed this

There really seemed to be a "negative things show no freewill" and "positive things show freewill" assumption. Charles repeatedly would say there was free will to help someone but never seemed to consider the possibility that people who "choose" to help someone had no more ability to make that decision than the person on the other side of the example.

I had no free will in watching this video. Every moment of my life leading up to this point left me with only one option.

This is such a good, true debate. They aren’t arguing against each other, they are testing ideas in a mutual effort to establish a truth. Beautiful

They seem to be saying that if you show empathy, you are exercising free will, but if you act badly, you are not. Given your genetics and environment, maybe your niceness or badness are both predetermined.

Watching these two (Neil and Charles, and even to a great extent this time, Chuck) discuss the differences between their opinions is like watching two enormous beings, gigantic in their intellect, awesome in the thoroughness that they thought things through, and inspiring in their articulation, pitting all of their knowledge, understandings, and skills in communication, in a titanic effort to overcome one another. Yet, in the end, they shook hands in unadulterated respect for one another, because while neither has managed to defeat their opponent, both have learned great things from the encounter.

Charles Liu was my professor in 2015. One of the very few that left a lasting impression on me. It's good to see his enthusiasm has remained unchanged.

Charles Liu is your best guest -- he should be a regular on the show. this guy speaks with crystal clarity

It’s so refreshing to see three grownups sitting together and having a civil discussion about a complex and nuanced topic.

I love this conversation! I was diagnosed with epilepsy at a young age and was told I was using drugs before finally being diagnosed 3 years later, I Was the outcast and was diagnosed with a lot of these struggles yet I’ve worked on myself to get to where I am today. I had free will/power within myself even though I wasn’t showed much compassion. Healing is possible!! Our minds can become limitless! Everything happens for a reason!!

Arthur Schopenhauer said: "Man can do what he wills but he cannot will what he wills."

What an amazing StarTalk episode. Really loved this one.

Chuck really became part of the conversation tbh, instead of in the early days just being comic relief. He actually adds useful perspectives and engages with the matter that is a unique but contributing perspective.

Two Astrophysicists Debate RNG

Listening to these gentlemen is an addiction we all need

The Synthesis of Fate and Choice: At this summit, the synthesis occurs where predetermined paths and free will converge. This synthesis recognizes that while certain elements may be preordained, individuals still possess the agency to influence and navigate their paths. The Ten-Point Format serves as a framework for exploring and understanding this dynamic interplay.

The free will debate is spoiled by a lack of exact definitions.