sapolsky is the man. the human behavioral biology lecture series (free on youtube) is life changing. hope to see him lecture in person or get a chance to talk to him at some point.
I think Alan's questions hint at him not fully grasping Sapolsky's point. He often made the same question with a mere difference in wording. It's a good thing though, because it gives Sapolsky a chance to elaborate and be more didactic.
Robert Sapolsky is once in a lifetime philosopher or whatever you want to call him. I can listen to this man lectures for hours and hours without being bored. What a national treasure.
@@selvamthiagarajan8152 true. There is a particular kind of people who believe competition, oppression is the way to go. They also believe in judging people and things in life as good and bad. Beware of these kind since they will take society backwards. Let’s hope to make society more compassionate, inclusive and open-minded .
the labeling works as a quick-action decision tree user interface. Its only failing is the complexities of life being so minute that when using such a paradigm, ones "scans" for dividion could "overlap" (remainders of___). Which would cause a false positive, or mislabeling of an object or action as its opposite.
@@selvamthiagarajan8152 He was on Harris's podcast so you can decide for yourself. Compared to Peterson he is a much more hard science focused lecturer but also reveals deep fundamental shit about reality.
In what sense? Not that I'm disagreeing or arguing with you, I'm actually very interested in what you have to say, I just don't know personally what you mean by that.
@@PC.NickRowan Most of their discussion is about compassion for those who are jailed for something they couldn't help . It is not often debated like this. But it should be.
This is the best interview I've ever seen in my life. These ideas are incredibly radical for the vast majority of people in this day and age. I would say that the notion of free will as an idea that is essentially nonexistent is more controversial than the theory of evolution. Dr. Sapolsky's right though, we aren't ready yet to accept this as fact. I think the start of implementing neuroscience into the justice systems starts with the interpretation of laws, and not the laws themselves. It would be incredibly challenging to define the healthy behavior of neurons, especially if the absence of free will is a universal application. How can you justify distributing punishment if everyone is technically unaccountable for their actions?
Yeah, good luck with that... it seems Sessions is pretty keen on this retribution thing. And that's actually an interesting point. I think Sapolsky would agree that human beings have a built-in desire to retribute. It goes hand in hand with the tit-for-tat strategy that most animals have for cooperative behavior. And this built-in desire for retribution has to be contended with. In other words, we need a justice system that strikes a balance between the medical possibilities of rehabilitation but also satisfies the desire for retribution by crime victims and society at large. If we treat all criminals as purely medical cases then the need for retribution won't be satisfied, which would lead to people losing faith in judicial institutions, which would lead to societal collapse in the long run (i.e., not an optimal outcome).
@@larsekman8244 I would respond to that by saying Sapolsky isn't saying keep them in hospitals instead of jail or anything. Some countries have uncomfortably lenient prisons for some very big crimes but society there hasnt broken down. Even in the US being imprisoned itself (losing freedoms) is regarded as the primary punishment, so I don't think it's a huge stretch for society to accept, so long as the offenders aren't roaming around unchecked.
@@richardlam9465 I don't know if I agree. I think the guy cleaning up the gang mess in El Salvadore right now is quite interesting. We shall see. Rehabilitation for those that can be. But, some are so far gone, and for horrid crimes, I think we do need the death penalty.
Alan Alda did a terrific interview with today. Dr. Sapolsky did a terrific commentary of tomorrow. The problem remains are you in prison for punishment or rehabilitation. I believe they both touched on this without the solution. It probably will evolve to both being the answer with punishment becoming less as we understand the correctness through rehabilitation.
I've realized what Robert is saying for a long time. No one can really control who they are. Psychopaths are what they are. Same with good caring people. I think if we at least admit this and stop just writing these people off as "evil" maybe we can treat people with no empathy. What if we had a cure that could prevent someone from going on a killing spree? That would really make society more peaceful.
It would be nice to live in a world where we never have to hate anyone for doing bad things, just disappointed and concerned that their genes+environment lead them to that point. We could be caring about everyone and everyone could be caring about you.
Jeff McGuire are you going to pay for that!! people know right from wrong, the fact that it is a petty crime still makes it a crime no excuses. Prison needs harsher time when they are there such as no tv, no gym, limit all interactions where most drug smuggling occurs and give em shitty food. People view this and will not risk it!
A harsher prison system costs more. The security measures are expensive, you'll need more expensive guards and super-expensive surveillance and torture equipment, you'll be required to house the prisoners longer, the prisoners will commit more crime when they get out, and they'll be more likely to got to jail again. Harsh prison systems are too expensive.
thats actually pretty dumb.. youve already confined their space and time.. letting them watch tv and exercise ..treating them human should happen in abundance... most laws are in fact controlling bullshit and not worth the sentence given
OK, face it. The real lesson of this video is how much taller Alan Alda is than we thought OR how much shorter Robert Saplosky is than we thought. The rest of it is all very interesting and enlightening too.
Just brilliant, another way of seeing life and the justice system....a brilliant mind giving a different point of view about life and your frontal cortex
*"The whole system has to go.* The modem criminal justice system is *incompatible with neuroscience.* It simply is not possible to have the two of them in the same room." ~ *Robert Sapolsky*
Scientific research definitely should be considered when judges are deciding on sentencing for people who commit criminal acts, also more help and rehabilitation for incarcerated inmates would give the ones who can actually change for better another chance at doing right. How can a Judge not be bias on circumstances or situations they have faced, whether good or bad? The Judicial System has its flaws and many great individuals suffer from their lack of understanding on human psychology...great lecture Mr. Sapolsky
Punishment without rehabilitation is a lose lose for society. Jails are great training grounds for the first time criminal. They also get to meet potential employers and business partners.
Im only 10 minutes in but I think what Alan isnt realising is that Robert isn' t a lawmaker, he is speaking to the neurological reasoning that might lead to someone being deemed a criminal by the legal system but not for him to decide what should happen with jails
"Garbage In-Garbage Out" in my experience. I'd like to see more conscious-thinking going on in this world. More, conscious-parenting. Greater acceptance of mindfulness practices for mental-health, self-care. Healing of trauma, early in life-before the pain, leads us towards thinking and actions of criminality.
and also, we already know that animals and time spent in more natural environments is incredibly healing to the disabled, sick, elderly, mentally ill, and "criminal" elements of our society; we need to take advantage of what is right in front of us, like allowing such people to garden or care for homeless animals, pairing gang members with dogs to train for injured veterans, bringing more animals into nursing homes, etc. anyway, sorry to go on and on. Sapolsky is a genius and Alda a gift to all.
Yes, i love mr. Sapolsky it is obvious. But i believe that the interviewer and camera men done a superb job. I think that they should know how good they where. Thank you!
This is an interesting conversation. It's a huge question as to how to direct our society and our criminal justice system in light of new information and ongoing scientific inquiries. I won't claim to know the way forward, but we can see our current setup is no longer sufficient for handling what's becoming of modern reality.
Should look into Sapolsky gait. The slight kick or fling forward of his feet as he walks. Calls to mind the kind of people who kick the seat in front of them when riding in buses. Why DO some of us do that anyway? Any research done into that?
I am soooo HAPPY to have lived in the same time this man is living! I need no prophets when I listen to him, it all makes total sense who said you must be religious to know how to be fair he is atheist and I was born muslim and when intelligence speaks I bow 🙇♀️
What wait what !!! So basically you studied Islam and you bow to God because you find it true and it makes sense and you know that this life is temporarily like when you was in the belly of your mother this life was temporarily and when you borned you started a new journey. When you tell us that you need no Prophets as a Muslim do you know what the prophet and scholars reported about it. Free will in Islam !!! Look it up sister it all makes sense...
I remember reading that something had to be illegal as a way to bring risk to the behavior. For example, stealing is risky because you'll be fined more for than what you stole. So you have to consider the risk and punishment, rather than the reward. I forgot what the two ideologies were of law.
Agree with R.S. The law & it's punishments should not be about the condemnation of people. Yes, Remove them, to diminish their ability to harm others, while urgently trying to get understanding about the origins of such behaviours with a view to preventing them in future & in others.
I'd like to see someone do a marble sculpture of Robert Sapolsky, and put it in one of the more well known museums. First of all, his thoughts deserve it. Second, he has a sort of classical philosopher look that really ought to be captured in such a sculpture.
Dr. Sapolsky can go ahead and teach modern philosophy if his research ever gets too boring... which from the sounds of it, isn't likely to happen anytime soon.
The justice system is not about justice. It's all about money. No money, no defense. Further more, rehab cost too much, that's why it is not popular in most correctional facilities.
I would love to know why I didn't turn out so bad. I had a terrible childhood, lots of stress due to poverty and a bad parent, yet I never went into a life of crime and even solved my anger issues on my own before I was 18. I wonder why I'm different?
***** I was definitely much more logical about how I approached life than everyone else around me. But that wasn't my point, there are tons of people with different versions of a bad or horrible childhood. My point was, what biologically made me think outside the box I was raised in? But I agree, I said fuck all this bullshit, I want a good life.
***** Well, I can tell you that the main thing that did it for me was reading books. I read every book I could get my hands on when I turned nine. This opened my mind to new ways and ideas. It also fueled my imagination, so I was able to think deeper about life and such. I was also very fond of studying people and how they live their lives. So with all that combined, it gave me a very different outlook on life much earlier than most people my age and older than me.
Biggest way to do crime prevention: eliminate want. People often do crime because it is the only way to pay the bills. Stress and depression are very often the direct result of our society's inequities - this is an economic problem. Mental health does not trickle down.
We need public policy to address to childhood development so that kids brains develop better. Spend money on childcare not jailcare. Less cops more food for kids. How resources are being improperly allocated is causing the high incarceration rates.
One of the things that disturbs me about our judicial system is you have a trial by a jury of your peers. Problem is, what if you test out on the far right end of the curve for intellect, are gay, atheist etc? Are those people really your peers and can the trial be truly fair? And think for a moment about those who run for office in the U.S. and elsewhere. Notice that you don't ever see a scientist run for political office? We get lawyers, teachers, painters, financial people etc. who run, but you rarely see a scientist.
Sapolsky's ideal of criminal law as a mechanism to protect society from dangerous people while simultaneously attempting to rehabilitate them sounds a lot like what's done in Norway, and is likely to produce better results at lower cost to society and with less needless suffering for offenders than the present system. The practical problem is how to get politicians who make the laws to subscribe to it. Politicians serve at the pleasure of the electorate, most of whom are still much more concerned with archaic concepts of justice and retribution based on cultural tradition plus a visceral desire for revenge and punishment. I wonder how Norway ever got to their current system, given how universal this traditional view of good and evil is in most societies.
Indeed. Open Dialogue therapy implemented in Western Lapland has been achieving amazing results. The financial and emotional incentives to criminalize human behavior, rather than endeavor to understand it in the west, holds human evolution back.
The only reason for half agreeing with a lack of free will is because we occupy one parallel positioning-location condensation modulation in/of the Uni - sync-duration Superspin verse, and because the lack of availability to simultaneously be precisely somewhere else is the i-reflection containment of everything else in condensation modulation superposition-quantization. Not sure if this is simply contrarian because this is how discussion processes information In-form-ation substantiation, or just wanders off in mutual non compression.
Listening to Dr Sapolsky causes me to question my own beliefs and behaviors. Unfortunately the people who can say that are not usually the same people who need to actively question their beliefs and behaviors. How can we bring these lessons to "every man"? How can we incite change? Who decides what is "evil"?
changing how people that has been convicted see themselves is maybe the most important impovement we can hope for. believing that you can be a good person as defined by the things you are doing from now on, no matter your history.
I think more relevant to our daily lives the the justice system is how we see and treat others. It doesn’t really make sense to want people to suffer just because they because they kind of suck.
I would love to see a debate between Neurosurgeon Michael Egnor and Behavioral Biologist Robert Sapolsky on Free Will and (strict materialism) Monism vs Dualism. Fireworks 💥 would ensue!! We would all be edified, one way or another. I doubt Sapolsky would agree to such a debate.... hope he proves me wrong!
Yes, we are programmed from a young age (before we are born) and the appearance of our programming shows up in our lives. Depending on our influences we can become aware that we have been programmed, find ways of releasing the negative programs (we are NOT our programming) that do not serve us and others and get to a point where we understand that we indeed DO have choice and our lives can be transformed for the better. I am now choosing to believe that I do have choice. I used to believe that I actually was my programming but now I have found influences (Louise Hay, Dr. Bernard Siegal, Dr. Bruce Lipton, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Michael Singer, Bob Griswald and many more) that fortunately allow me to be aware that I had been programmed and that I can choose to let go of my negative programming and choose new positive programming that serves me. I am still a work in progress but I am forever grateful to realize that I do indeed have choice and that I can choose to change my life for the better. I am a victor NOT a victom!
2 years ago, I watched this video, and my heart was racing, and blood pumping, in some visceral rush that a novel truth was being dolled out in front of me - that was profound and wise. Since then, i have been researching free will off and on, and 2 years hence, again this video popped up on my feed, this time, my heart raced, and blood pumped, in some visceral rush that some novel evil idea was being dolled out in front of me. I am trying to think aloud why. The first time around, i thought Robert Sapolsky was speaking with some genius level compassion for criminals, trying to make the justice system more humane, and compatible with neuroscience. And while he is explicitly trying to make the justice system compatible with neuroscience, I am not sure about the compassion part, second time around. Ultimately, if you are quarantined, and jailed for being harmful to society, what difference does it make whether you are condemned for being evil, or not. if you are locked away in a cage, what difference does it make to you that you are not considered evil by the world outside, but instead thought off as a defective human?
They are a person with brain defects (not a defective human) who might be fully or partially healed at some future date. Further, there are different ways to jail people (nasty jails or more humane ones.) Lastly, I think one of the keys is prevention/amelioration. Now that we know many of the ways the brain can become unable to enable prosocial behaviours, we can work to eliminate or reduce them.
My lack of free will brought me here. I just can't resist a good Sapolsky video.
Hahahah +9000
This comment makes me cringe and have hope at the same time
maybe, one day this kind of talk would be the norm
Haha!! you are not alone buddy
Same here. We must be pre-programmed.
Zombie effect!:)
sapolsky is the man. the human behavioral biology lecture series (free on youtube) is life changing. hope to see him lecture in person or get a chance to talk to him at some point.
Once I received a reply for my mail from Dr. Sapolsky .... Goodness....
I agree. What a great mind.
What did he say?
Alan Alda is a good interviewer, pertinent and a good mix of obvious and subtle questions, and Salpolsky is just great and his beard reflects that.
dumb as shit if you think he asked pertinent questions.
I think Alan's questions hint at him not fully grasping Sapolsky's point. He often made the same question with a mere difference in wording. It's a good thing though, because it gives Sapolsky a chance to elaborate and be more didactic.
Robert Sapolsky is once in a lifetime philosopher or whatever you want to call him. I can listen to this man lectures for hours and hours without being bored. What a national treasure.
A Global treasure rather.
man, I could listen to Robert for hours
+illmatc I DO listen to him for hours :D
I have watched all of his lectures.. twice!
I can and I have, and am reading his newest book, I recommend you do too. It's titled "Behave". Great read so far! :)
+zabelicious me too....Reinhard,Innsbruck,Austria
@@zabelicious did u take notes
What a relief. Finally someone else who thinks labeling human beings "good" and "evil" is just absurd.
This man helped me abandon the long held view that it is a dog eat dog world.
@@selvamthiagarajan8152 true. There is a particular kind of people who believe competition, oppression is the way to go. They also believe in judging people and things in life as good and bad. Beware of these kind since they will take society backwards. Let’s hope to make society more compassionate, inclusive and open-minded .
the labeling works as a quick-action decision tree user interface.
Its only failing is the complexities of life being so minute that when using such a paradigm, ones "scans" for dividion could "overlap" (remainders of___). Which would cause a false positive, or mislabeling of an object or action as its opposite.
You can see him do it constantly in his own lectures. Like all people, he finds certain humans evil, and certain ones, good.
@@A.K.00 Yeah, but not so open even some Profs talk so silly, and do sound like their brains are falling out.
It's getting darn insane.
Sapolsky is so chill and articulate - a breath of fresh air in a world of overly emotional an agitated fast talkers.
This is the most informative beard close-up ever.
mark my words. sapolsky is the most prolific thinker of our generation. be the person that appreciated his brilliance before it became a trend
...and it does have become a trend indeed 🤗
Heard the same said about Jordan Peterson. Hope Sapolsky doesn’t delve into politics and religion.
@@selvamthiagarajan8152 Jordan Peterson is the fool's intellectual. Robert is more of the real deal.
I am amazed by the uplifting and generous intellect of this man. I want to watch all of his lectures. And Alan Alda is a peach of a person too.
Sapolsky is my hero.
Join the club!
How does he compare with Sam Harris or Jordan Peterson?
@@selvamthiagarajan8152
He was on Harris's podcast so you can decide for yourself.
Compared to Peterson he is a much more hard science focused lecturer but also reveals deep fundamental shit about reality.
@@meyerjac Thank you for your reply
@@meyerjac ♥️
Alda and Sapolsky in the same vicinity, just wow.
That is true greatness right there ❤
compassion is often overlooked...
In what sense? Not that I'm disagreeing or arguing with you, I'm actually very interested in what you have to say, I just don't know personally what you mean by that.
@@PC.NickRowan Most of their discussion is about compassion for those who are jailed for something they couldn't help . It is not often debated like this. But it should be.
This is the best interview I've ever seen in my life. These ideas are incredibly radical for the vast majority of people in this day and age. I would say that the notion of free will as an idea that is essentially nonexistent is more controversial than the theory of evolution. Dr. Sapolsky's right though, we aren't ready yet to accept this as fact. I think the start of implementing neuroscience into the justice systems starts with the interpretation of laws, and not the laws themselves. It would be incredibly challenging to define the healthy behavior of neurons, especially if the absence of free will is a universal application. How can you justify distributing punishment if everyone is technically unaccountable for their actions?
This has been one of the most powerful human interactions ever recorded. The Attorney General needs to take this to heart.
Yeah, good luck with that... it seems Sessions is pretty keen on this retribution thing. And that's actually an interesting point. I think Sapolsky would agree that human beings have a built-in desire to retribute. It goes hand in hand with the tit-for-tat strategy that most animals have for cooperative behavior. And this built-in desire for retribution has to be contended with. In other words, we need a justice system that strikes a balance between the medical possibilities of rehabilitation but also satisfies the desire for retribution by crime victims and society at large. If we treat all criminals as purely medical cases then the need for retribution won't be satisfied, which would lead to people losing faith in judicial institutions, which would lead to societal collapse in the long run (i.e., not an optimal outcome).
@@larsekman8244
I would respond to that by saying Sapolsky isn't saying keep them in hospitals instead of jail or anything. Some countries have uncomfortably lenient prisons for some very big crimes but society there hasnt broken down. Even in the US being imprisoned itself (losing freedoms) is regarded as the primary punishment, so I don't think it's a huge stretch for society to accept, so long as the offenders aren't roaming around unchecked.
@@AceofDlamonds Exactly!
@@richardlam9465 I don't know if I agree. I think the guy cleaning up the gang mess in El Salvadore right now is quite interesting. We shall see.
Rehabilitation for those that can be. But, some are so far gone, and for horrid crimes, I think we do need the death penalty.
Alan Alda did a terrific interview with today. Dr. Sapolsky did a terrific commentary of tomorrow. The problem remains are you in prison for punishment or rehabilitation. I believe they both touched on this without the solution. It probably will evolve to both being the answer with punishment becoming less as we understand the correctness through rehabilitation.
I've realized what Robert is saying for a long time. No one can really control who they are. Psychopaths are what they are. Same with good caring people. I think if we at least admit this and stop just writing these people off as "evil" maybe we can treat people with no empathy. What if we had a cure that could prevent someone from going on a killing spree? That would really make society more peaceful.
It would be nice to live in a world where we never have to hate anyone for doing bad things, just disappointed and concerned that their genes+environment lead them to that point. We could be caring about everyone and everyone could be caring about you.
IM STUDYING BOOKS ON THE BRAIN AND THIS IS WHAT I NEED TO HELP ME LEARN THANKS AND GOD BLESS.
If you have not done so already, check out his book “Behave”. It is awesome!
I like how this interview is done in front of Rodin's "The Gates Of Hell"; I find it quite fitting.
User Name, as do i
Hahaha, awesome, thanks for this astute observation! :)
yes because they are going to hell for talking blasphemy against free will. Disgusting
@@mattheww797 someone here had a different environment than the rest.
@@mattheww797 Oh do shut up you ignorant human. 🤐
because of this truth, the jails must be NICER, not abusive. Prisoners should be safe.
Jeff McGuire are you going to pay for that!! people know right from wrong, the fact that it is a petty crime still makes it a crime no excuses. Prison needs harsher time when they are there such as no tv, no gym, limit all interactions where most drug smuggling occurs and give em shitty food. People view this and will not risk it!
A harsher prison system costs more. The security measures are expensive, you'll need more expensive guards and super-expensive surveillance and torture equipment, you'll be required to house the prisoners longer, the prisoners will commit more crime when they get out, and they'll be more likely to got to jail again. Harsh prison systems are too expensive.
You're an asshole lmao
thats actually pretty dumb.. youve already confined their space and time.. letting them watch tv and exercise ..treating them human should happen in abundance... most laws are in fact controlling bullshit and not worth the sentence given
Guess you didn't understand the video.
As usual, Sapolsky is superb.
Please Robert, narrate your audio-books
I would pay extra for that
Yes
OK, face it. The real lesson of this video is how much taller Alan Alda is than we thought OR how much shorter Robert Saplosky is than we thought.
The rest of it is all very interesting and enlightening too.
Why he has't been awarded a Nobel prize?
Dr.Sapolsky makes neuroscience topics, another important casual conversation, totally enjoyed lectures and interview
Alan Alda is asking surprisingly smart and nuanced questions. Kudos
Just brilliant, another way of seeing life and the justice system....a brilliant mind giving a different point of view about life and your frontal cortex
This professor is born teacher! I'm in awe of his incredible intellect! Alan Alda is formidable intellect!🤔😲🇮🇱🇮🇹
I can't agree more with everything Sapolsky says in this video
I’m Sapolskified, can’t stop watching him
Robert Sapolsky is the man!
To just be able to think on the spot like that, both of them, especially Rob Sapolsky, that really is clever!
What a marvelous pair to listen to converse.
Anybody still watching this in May 2019? Should we have a place/group to discuss such elegant thoughts with like-minded people?
@Feiner Fug it's less about intelligence and more about passion. What do you think a correct platform would be? G. Hangout?
I’m interested even though your comment is 4y old.
*"The whole system has to go.* The modem criminal justice system is *incompatible with neuroscience.* It simply is not possible to have the two of them in the same room."
~ *Robert Sapolsky*
Scientific research definitely should be considered when judges are deciding on sentencing for people who commit criminal acts, also more help and rehabilitation for incarcerated inmates would give the ones who can actually change for better another chance at doing right. How can a Judge not be bias on circumstances or situations they have faced, whether good or bad? The Judicial System has its flaws and many great individuals suffer from their lack of understanding on human psychology...great lecture Mr. Sapolsky
The one and only Alan Alda...
❤❤❤
This is the most impressed I have been with Alda since his monologue show in the Korean household.
Doing bobs lecture series free from youtube so im proud to say hes my teacher. Love from Ireland.
Thank you. So much.
Truly a great teacher. He makes learning a pure joy and with humor our LTP jumps with neurons getting bigger and growing painlessly . I am hooked!
What an amazingly 'soothing for the brain' dialogue tone. It's better than study music :)
Best way to sleep
Punishment without rehabilitation is a lose lose for society. Jails are great training grounds for the first time criminal. They also get to meet potential employers and business partners.
Robert Sapolsky WHO teach ME A LOT about life
Brilliant mind. Another great video.
More conversation like this will help us as a human race.
The only one way to replace judgmentalism is prevention, and making sure pregnant mothers eat right and have no stress, and prevent child abuse.
Those two could be reciting the times tables and my ears would like it.
Good one, made me smile. :)
Im only 10 minutes in but I think what Alan isnt realising is that Robert isn' t a lawmaker, he is speaking to the neurological reasoning that might lead to someone being deemed a criminal by the legal system but not for him to decide what should happen with jails
No, he thinks Robert's knowledge should inform the Justice and legal system. Not write laws.
Stanford is so beautiful! Oh my god!
@Zombie Jesus I guess that would be a result of colonialism then, right?
"Garbage In-Garbage Out" in my experience. I'd like to see more conscious-thinking going on in this world. More, conscious-parenting. Greater acceptance of mindfulness practices for mental-health, self-care. Healing of trauma, early in life-before the pain, leads us towards thinking and actions of criminality.
MUST WATCH! MUST LIKE! MUST COMMENT! MUST SHARE! If interested in living in and leaving behind a better world!
and also, we already know that animals and time spent in more natural environments is incredibly healing to the disabled, sick, elderly, mentally ill, and "criminal" elements of our society; we need to take advantage of what is right in front of us, like allowing such people to garden or care for homeless animals, pairing gang members with dogs to train for injured veterans, bringing more animals into nursing homes, etc. anyway, sorry to go on and on. Sapolsky is a genius and Alda a gift to all.
Great man, great mind
Lumitopia - Great beard!
By listening to this conversation I understand more and more the meaning of "We as humans are flawed creatures"
Yes, i love mr. Sapolsky it is obvious. But i believe that the interviewer and camera men done a superb job. I think that they should know how good they where. Thank you!
I agree
This is an interesting conversation. It's a huge question as to how to direct our society and our criminal justice system in light of new information and ongoing scientific inquiries. I won't claim to know the way forward, but we can see our current setup is no longer sufficient for handling what's becoming of modern reality.
Wow beautiful conversation ! I love this professor 💜 very knowledgeable and wise man!🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋
Should look into Sapolsky gait. The slight kick or fling forward of his feet as he walks. Calls to mind the kind of people who kick the seat in front of them when riding in buses. Why DO some of us do that anyway? Any research done into that?
there is no good or evil ; there is simply behavior as a manifestation of neurophysiology
I am soooo HAPPY to have lived in the same time this man is living! I need no prophets when I listen to him, it all makes total sense who said you must be religious to know how to be fair he is atheist and I was born muslim and when intelligence speaks I bow 🙇♀️
What wait what !!! So basically you studied Islam and you bow to God because you find it true and it makes sense and you know that this life is temporarily like when you was in the belly of your mother this life was temporarily and when you borned you started a new journey. When you tell us that you need no Prophets as a Muslim do you know what the prophet and scholars reported about it. Free will in Islam !!! Look it up sister it all makes sense...
What do you do with people who have a frontal cortex that is damaged beyond repair?
I remember reading that something had to be illegal as a way to bring risk to the behavior. For example, stealing is risky because you'll be fined more for than what you stole. So you have to consider the risk and punishment, rather than the reward. I forgot what the two ideologies were of law.
“Damaged machine”; I think that’ll stay with me. I’ve never viewed others that way. An interesting thought.
The question then is: What would an undamaged machine look like?
Well, we are machines, with various amounts of damage, and good and bad enviroments.
rock on!!!! love it love it love it love it!!! SHARE THIS IF YOU WANT A BETTER WORLD!!!
Agree with R.S.
The law & it's punishments should not be about the condemnation of people.
Yes, Remove them, to diminish their ability to harm others, while urgently trying to get understanding about the origins of such behaviours with a view to preventing them in future & in others.
Norwegian and Dutch legal systems have been taking Neuroscience seriously.
I'd like to see someone do a marble sculpture of Robert Sapolsky, and put it in one of the more well known museums. First of all, his thoughts deserve it. Second, he has a sort of classical philosopher look that really ought to be captured in such a sculpture.
Dr. Sapolsky can go ahead and teach modern philosophy if his research ever gets too boring... which from the sounds of it, isn't likely to happen anytime soon.
The justice system is not about justice. It's all about money. No money, no defense. Further more, rehab cost too much, that's why it is not popular in most correctional facilities.
I would love to know why I didn't turn out so bad. I had a terrible childhood, lots of stress due to poverty and a bad parent, yet I never went into a life of crime and even solved my anger issues on my own before I was 18. I wonder why I'm different?
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I was definitely much more logical about how I approached life than everyone else around me. But that wasn't my point, there are tons of people with different versions of a bad or horrible childhood. My point was, what biologically made me think outside the box I was raised in? But I agree, I said fuck all this bullshit, I want a good life.
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Well, I can tell you that the main thing that did it for me was reading books. I read every book I could get my hands on when I turned nine. This opened my mind to new ways and ideas. It also fueled my imagination, so I was able to think deeper about life and such. I was also very fond of studying people and how they live their lives. So with all that combined, it gave me a very different outlook on life much earlier than most people my age and older than me.
Rehabilitation vs Warehousing. What would it be?
Biggest way to do crime prevention: eliminate want. People often do crime because it is the only way to pay the bills. Stress and depression are very often the direct result of our society's inequities - this is an economic problem. Mental health does not trickle down.
Very much so. Furthermore, the societal ideals surely promotes certain behaviour - whether it be crime or ‘altruism’
We need public policy to address to childhood development so that kids brains develop better. Spend money on childcare not jailcare. Less cops more food for kids. How resources are being improperly allocated is causing the high incarceration rates.
Listen to Sapolsky on Sam Harris' podcast - pure gold. D.A., J.D., NYC
One of the things that disturbs me about our judicial system is you have a trial by a jury of your peers. Problem is, what if you test out on the far right end of the curve for intellect, are gay, atheist etc? Are those people really your peers and can the trial be truly fair?
And think for a moment about those who run for office in the U.S. and elsewhere. Notice that you don't ever see a scientist run for political office? We get lawyers, teachers, painters, financial people etc. who run, but you rarely see a scientist.
Sapolsky's ideal of criminal law as a mechanism to protect society from dangerous people while simultaneously attempting to rehabilitate them sounds a lot like what's done in Norway, and is likely to produce better results at lower cost to society and with less needless suffering for offenders than the present system. The practical problem is how to get politicians who make the laws to subscribe to it. Politicians serve at the pleasure of the electorate, most of whom are still much more concerned with archaic concepts of justice and retribution based on cultural tradition plus a visceral desire for revenge and punishment. I wonder how Norway ever got to their current system, given how universal this traditional view of good and evil is in most societies.
Indeed. Open Dialogue therapy implemented in Western Lapland has been achieving amazing results. The financial and emotional incentives to criminalize human behavior, rather than endeavor to understand it in the west, holds human evolution back.
The only reason for half agreeing with a lack of free will is because we occupy one parallel positioning-location condensation modulation in/of the Uni - sync-duration Superspin verse, and because the lack of availability to simultaneously be precisely somewhere else is the i-reflection containment of everything else in condensation modulation superposition-quantization.
Not sure if this is simply contrarian because this is how discussion processes information In-form-ation substantiation, or just wanders off in mutual non compression.
Listening to Dr Sapolsky causes me to question my own beliefs and behaviors. Unfortunately the people who can say that are not usually the same people who need to actively question their beliefs and behaviors. How can we bring these lessons to "every man"? How can we incite change? Who decides what is "evil"?
Complexity says that everything is predetermined in such a complicated way that it boils down to your every decision.
"The Gates Of Hell" in the background - perfect. :D
So if I get a raise, does that mean that at no point was that raise a matter of free will, even on the part of whoever gave me the raise?
changing how people that has been convicted see themselves is maybe the most important impovement we can hope for. believing that you can be a good person as defined by the things you are doing from now on, no matter your history.
I think more relevant to our daily lives the the justice system is how we see and treat others. It doesn’t really make sense to want people to suffer just because they because they kind of suck.
I wish he would write a book on how to use his knowledge to help humans improve there health and quality of Life
we might never figure that out why good people snap and do bad things
THIS GUY IS A COMPLETE GENIUS
JUST LISTEN TO HIS LECTURES TO KNOW IT
"This shit has got to go!" Jacque
I would love to see a debate between Neurosurgeon Michael Egnor and Behavioral Biologist Robert Sapolsky on Free Will and (strict materialism) Monism vs Dualism. Fireworks 💥 would ensue!! We would all be edified, one way or another. I doubt Sapolsky would agree to such a debate.... hope he proves me wrong!
Thanks to the camera man/woman for making me have to re-watch 10.25 - 11.05
alda is a great interviewer
When someone tells me they like my car I say, thanks a made it myself. The 1st time was original for me but it has turn into my auto reply.
the mark of a great mind is when they recognize something is outside of their domain and qualifies their response with such.
Which Sapolsky book do you guys recommend reading first? I have the feeling I will read all of them eventually....
Just bounce straight to Behave.
Yes, we are programmed from a young age (before we are born) and the appearance of our programming shows up in our lives. Depending on our influences we can become aware that we have been programmed, find ways of releasing the negative programs (we are NOT our programming) that do not serve us and others and get to a point where we understand that we indeed DO have choice and our lives can be transformed for the better. I am now choosing to believe that I do have choice. I used to believe that I actually was my programming but now I have found influences (Louise Hay, Dr. Bernard Siegal, Dr. Bruce Lipton, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Michael Singer, Bob Griswald and many more) that fortunately allow me to be aware that I had been programmed and that I can choose to let go of my negative programming and choose new positive programming that serves me. I am still a work in progress but I am forever grateful to realize that I do indeed have choice and that I can choose to change my life for the better. I am a victor NOT a victom!
Robert is so fascinating for me as a criminology student, however Alan Alda's voice just makes me melt!
I didn't cry watching this video. Damn.
Freedom and responsibility are necessary fictions. Society just doesn't know what to do without them - at least not yet.
2 years ago, I watched this video, and my heart was racing, and blood pumping, in some visceral rush that a novel truth was being dolled out in front of me - that was profound and wise. Since then, i have been researching free will off and on, and 2 years hence, again this video popped up on my feed, this time, my heart raced, and blood pumped, in some visceral rush that some novel evil idea was being dolled out in front of me. I am trying to think aloud why. The first time around, i thought Robert Sapolsky was speaking with some genius level compassion for criminals, trying to make the justice system more humane, and compatible with neuroscience. And while he is explicitly trying to make the justice system compatible with neuroscience, I am not sure about the compassion part, second time around. Ultimately, if you are quarantined, and jailed for being harmful to society, what difference does it make whether you are condemned for being evil, or not. if you are locked away in a cage, what difference does it make to you that you are not considered evil by the world outside, but instead thought off as a defective human?
They are a person with brain defects (not a defective human) who might be fully or partially healed at some future date. Further, there are different ways to jail people (nasty jails or more humane ones.) Lastly, I think one of the keys is prevention/amelioration. Now that we know many of the ways the brain can become unable to enable prosocial behaviours, we can work to eliminate or reduce them.
@@ChrisPollitt Excellent answer for Lenny.
Just love this man.