For our December meeting, the Westside PDG will be discussing the concept of free will. Robert Sapolsky, a biology professor at Stanford, has written a book, Determined, in which he argues that we do not have free will and that our intentions are determined by factors that are outside of our control.

Prof. Sapolsky writes:

The intent you form, the person you are, is the result of all the interactions between biology and environment that came before. All things out of your control. Each prior influence flows without a break from the effects of the influences before. As such, there’s no point in the sequence where you can insert a freedom of will that will be in that biological world but not of it.

Why would this interest us as mediators? Well, would you interact differently with people if you agreed that “there can be no such thing as blame, and that punishment as retribution is indefensible"? Would you have greater or lesser empathy (and/or sympathy) for the parties you mediate with? Would you go as far as to encourage parties to view one another, as well as themselves, as not responsible for what's occurred and thus should be considered blameless?

Here's a piece that we recommend reading before the meeting:

We hope you'll join us for what we're expecting to be a very lively discussion!

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcrceitqjsoGNVhIdD8qsNZZeyKJ9YC37DW

 

After registering, you'll receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Have a great rest of the week and weekend!

Best wishes,

Aaron