PRIMITIVE: Care, Cruelty, Religion, & Reason in the Human Animal (with Dr. Robert Sapolsky)

Renowned neuroscientist Dr. Robert Sapolsky joins us for an exploration of our brains, religions, good/awful behaviors, and why we don't (?) have free will.

[@adropofgoldensun27]

“We keep on being told that religion, whatever its imperfections, at least instills morality. On every side, there is conclusive evidence that the contrary is the case, and that faith causes people to be more mean, more selfish, and perhaps above all, more stupid.” Christopher Hitchens

[@littlebitofhope1489]

And now the research proves him right. Amazing.

[@black_sheep_nation]

Whenever I lament about how lost my sister is, I think of Christopher Hitchens and his brother.

[@briobarb8525]

​@@black_sheep_nation Wow...love your moniker. Maybe because I soooo relate! Baaaaa.....😮.

[@mcd5478]

Amen to that

[@summondadrummin2868]

Where's the research?

[@cooscoe]

I never get tired of hearing from Robert Sapolsky. I've listened to the same explanations 20+ times and each time I get something new from them. Glad Gutsick Gibbon crashed the end there!

[@gmw3083]

Brilliant simpletons are great, aren't they. Putin bad. But hey. He had no choice I'd go on, but the comment will disappear.

[@gmw3083]

He argues against colonialism but is oblivious to the fact thta putin is as anticolonial as it gets

[@TremendousSax]

​@@gmw3083how is Putin anti-colonial? He's invading a sovereign nation to steal its resources. That's textbook colonialism

[@HerMeggido]

9​@@gmw3083

[@Geezerelli]

What is it you get that is new?

[@BertRussell4711]

THIS is what truth sounds like -- from beginning to end. Sapolsky demonstrates the kind of ego-free rationality that is so unfortunately absent in most of humanity. In particular, I applaud what Sapolsky says about free will and moral responsibility, and his "quarantine model" of society. Such a position should be the gold standard and litmus test for enlightened thinking.

[@denenemcbride7372]

Yes!

[@thelowly1]

Found Dr. Sapolsky during the Pandemic and was blown away by his online recordings of his class.

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

Ohhh ty!

[@briobarb8525]

Thank you...I will look for those on line.

[@cozker23]

…and yet he’s not critical thinking enough to see through the mass manipulation.

[@jessetheskeptic601]

Sapolsky is hands down my favorite science author. His books are long as hell, but worth reading. Wish I had someone like him in my life to converse with! Brilliant.

[@trocarcat]

caught a lecture series he did many years ago about genetics and behavior and "choice"- and I was immediately hooked. Shelly Kagan caught my attention too- he did a Yale course on death that was fascinating and very thought provoking, as it was more about what makes one "alive".

[@josephbelisle5792]

Don't we all wish we had someone in our lives like him to talk to. Daily.

[@miamihoser]

We have us

[@oonaghcleary3645]

Robert Sapolsky makes so much sense people who don't agree with him are just scared of the changes we would need to see the world how it really is he has really helped me immensely how I now understand myself and the world more it is a fascinating subject

[@Xen0Phanes]

On the topic of free will I remember philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer said something like 'You can will what you do but you can't will what you will." Thanks for sharing this conversation. 👍'd

[@a.randomjack6661]

Jacques the Fatalist and His Master is a novel by Denis Diderot, a French philosopher and writer, published in 1796. Jacques keeps saying "when something happens, it's because it's written up there" In Physics. there's this Super-determinism; basically all the properties and vectors of every elementary particle, which also implies we have no free will. I'm still not sure id it's a hypothesis or a scientific theory like Relativity (both theories of relativity. Special and General) ). It's not something that keeps me up at night. 🖖

[@AtheismPoisonsEverything]

According to atheist religion, which rejects free will and therefore any kind of personal responsibility and accountabuility, Why is it not evil when a pdf file atheist man bones kids? Is it because he has no choice to do other than what he does, and so, he just embraces his animal desires as atheist religion commands him to?

[@chemquests]

This is the central thesis of Compatabilism. One can acknowledge that we exercise some intent to “will what you do”

[@a.randomjack6661]

@@chemquests You can only talk about yourself. We are ruled by our emotions, our genes, our cultures, our families, just like the surface of the oceans is ruled by winds and whats below it's surface. Accumulate a bit more lead and you will become a different person, have a coffee and you may make a different choice. Free will is a belief. it does not stand to scrutiny.

[@dusty3913]

I never tire of Sapolsky…and I think Seth did a fine job of asking his questions in ways that differ from most of the thousands of other times Sapolsky’s been interviewed.

[@DG-cu1vt]

I've never heard of Dr. Robert Sapolsky. What an interesting man and a great interview, Seth. I've learned a lot.

[@KeithCooper-Albuquerque]

If you have the time, check out his entire class on-line at Stanford. It is a must-watch!

[@rowdyriemer]

Yeah, ditto what @KeithCooper said! I still think that lecture series is the most interesting thing I've seen on the Internet!

[@rowdyriemer]

And read A Primate's Memoir.

[@dermotmeuchner2416]

Read everything he writes.

[@tamarausher60]

​@@rowdyriemeralthough I've read all his books, but this book in particular, made my cry at the ending.. its the most human book written by Robert.

[@Scorned405]

I love Sapolsky and his work

[@rational777]

روعة 💓 يجب أن يحصل هذا المقطع على ما لا يقل عن مليون مشاهدة!

[@user-vv2pf1sy4m]

6 BILLION

[@AntiAtheismIsUnstoppable]

@@user-vv2pf1sy4m No... atheist stalin enslaved 14 million people, not 6

[@elviscoso01]

I'm currently reading his latest book "Determined" and it's groundbreaking. I could listen to him talk for hours to no end.

[@melodys.portlandoregon556]

Always appreciate the guests on The Thinking Atheist.

[@DaboooogA]

This was a cracking conversation - one of the best interviews with Sapolsky.

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

This whole video is GOLD!!!

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

Seth, I would have watched three hours of this! Please keep these things coming!

[@dspondike]

The old man baboon story made me tear up. Verklempt.

[@cynthiakalousis9904]

What a wonderful hour of enlightenment. Seth keep bringing people like Dr. Sapolsky

[@DeniseSalmon-lw3eh]

Dr. Sapolsky shared my FAVORITE story, about he and his wife sitting with the old baboon & sharing a bag of cookies. I appreciate his explanation of how society could remove blame and moral judgement from a situation, while still protecting its members. Thank you for this podcast.

[@KeithCooper-Albuquerque]

I love Dr. Sapolsky and having Seth and Erika in one place is awesome!

[@FredHsu]

The best and most succinct explanation of free will I’ve heard.

[@migduh]

We got Seth and Sapolsky in the mix? It’s a good day folks.

[@ms.communication8464]

EXCELLENT interview! Thank you both so much!!!!!!!! Two of my favorite thinkers. Pseudo kinship=religion

[@joestacey6185]

Thank you, Seth. These longer form interviews are up there with your best work. They're always interesting.

[@jamiegallier2106]

It was such a treat seeing Erica get to meet a hero of hers!

[@Rocky_Anunnaki]

Long live Robert Sapolsky.

[@destinationshypnosis]

I love interviews with Robert Sapolsky, and this was one of the best! What a gift. So happy to see Gutsick Gibbon make a connection with someone she admires!

[@MajorPayne175]

Wow! This is quality content, Seth. Dr. Sapolsky is awesome. Thanks for this conversation!

[@marvross3928]

This was so much fun and awesome to see Gutsick Gibbon (Erica) speak with Robert. Thanks for having them on together - I have enjoyed them as separate scientists for years and what fun to see them interact.

[@harkema8090]

Great scientist, this prof. Sapolsky..also he gives great lectures to his students Thank you, mr.Seth Andrews!

[@tomnohmy1273]

I've been watching this doctor on KZbin for years. I bet he's so cool to hang out with.

[@rgenericson5361]

If you haven't seen his lectures then you don't know what you're missing! I discovered them here a few years ago. Absolutely fantastic topics!

[@misslayer3340]

I love Robert Sapolsky He's one of my "heroes" and definitely part of what inspired me to pursue a degree in neuroscience. I've listened to tons of interviews with him but this is the first time I've heard anyone ask him about his religious family background. Interesting stuff! Thanks Seth

[@DrPhilGoode]

If you love him so much why don’t you marry him. No, I am not jealous of all the attention Bob is getting. 😁

[@TMK1450]

Religious background is in the tons of podcasts in every other one. This was deeper though than others as the degree of orthodoxy was covered… 😮

[@scorp10fl53]

Briliant and comprendable. Truly, Prof. Sapolsky is to Neuro science what Neils Degrasse Tyson is to astrophysics. Communication is the root to all understanding and we need to encourage this in all fields of study. Thank you Seth for this most enlightening discussion. Your guests are among my favourites! 🇨🇦 👋🏻😁👍🏻

[@ginafrancis4950]

Dr Sapolsky…Such an amazing human being! I loved this conversation. Thank you Seth.

[@Viky.A.V.]

As much as I may disagree with some points he makes, it's still interesting to listen to dr. Sapolsky. Thank you!

[@Queenread82]

That could easily have kept me captivated for another hour. Thanks

[@motheincredible1]

Fantastic discussion! Thank you for this.

[@jamesschneider2091]

Professor Sapolsky is always worth the price of admission - great guest. His scientifically rigorous views on the free will debate make me a believer. I'm glad Gutsick came in with her question ... that was an intriguing story about the geriatric baboon. 😊

[@janinegriffiths8281]

Thanks for bringing on Dr. Sapolski. Great discussion.

[@willmpet]

I first heard Dr. Sapolsky on public radio on The Infinite Mind. He is knowledgeable and able to communicate very well.

[@fatjesus4528]

Omg now I need an hour of Sapolsky and Erica! What a great interview!

[@user-nc4ck7ls9p]

I'm binge watching all of Dr sop's video on YT since last week...I'm learning a lot❤

[@atticmuse3749]

Awesome interview! Love Dr Sapolsky and his work, his books Behave and Determined really changed my perspective on a lot of things! And yes I'm so glad you brought Erica on at the end, what an awesome opportunity!

[@Vaelinstorm]

I've even so many Sapolsky interviews but this is my favorite. And to see Erica's face light up when speaking with Robert was priceless.

[@SholupToklo]

Thank you for having Robert Sapolsky. I appreciate his contemplative ministrations whenever I feel my internal reserves of compassion need shoring up. He offers a greater truth of peace and absolution than any priest or scripture I’ve ever heard

[@AnotherHomeChef]

Excellent. Thank you!

[@joeyking3908]

I recommend the book "Tribe" by Sebastian Junger. There are good and bad tribes of course.

[@PinataOblongata]

Thank you SO MUCH for getting Erika on to ask about Robert's field experience - even as a long-time fan I had not heard/read about the experience he talked about sitting with the old docile baboon. It made for a nice change from the free will stuff covered ad nauseam on 50 other podcasts. He has important science for people to understand, but he's also just wonderful human being with awesome stories and a knack for telling them, which (as Seth touched on) makes him such an excellent science communicator. I would encourage people to pick up "Junkfood Monkeys", one of his older books that groups some shorter essays together and was my first introduction to his work. His latest two are masterpieces, but they are dense and could put off the less academically-minded. I haven't seen too much of Seth's stuff and it always amazes me (and gives me hope) to find out someone was such a committed theist, with all the cultural trappings and political leanings, and that they somehow found a way out of the ignorance to do a complete 180. I hold a great deal of respect for people who can critically examine their beliefs and hold themselves accountable to change them when they don't add up - that is the definition of intellectual integrity. I especially laud those who do this in the face of losing family and friends, simply for acknowledging what is objectively evidenced and logically sound, it can't be easy at all and I'm glad to have never been in that position.

[@Letts_prey]

It was indeed a joy to see Erika’s joy to be included, and hear the subsequent anecdote. Also, yes, be grateful to not be the victim of family division due to walking away from unfounded dogma, as I, and many I know have had to endure. I’ve hope that is progressively becoming a future history.

[@TMK1450]

Great to have now the origin/ context of that the closeup photo of Robert and a baboon was taken from the „event“. Thx. 🙏 😊

[@TMK1450]

„And then we take urine samples…“ 😂 😂😂

[@lili.ana.]

The appearance by Gutsick Gibbon at the end absolutely made my day. I think a full conversation between Sapolsky and Erika would irrevocably shake my worldview.

[@daemon9737]

This was fantastic!! Thanks all!!

[@darksoul479]

I love this doctor. I have seen several interviews with him, it's really interesting.❤

[@v0id616]

What a treat! Thank you.

[@jamesf1525]

Outstanding example of how the media can be used to educate and make one ponder our existence. This interview deserves to be seen by millions. So many salient points to consider. Congrats to the participants for their sagacity and expertise.

[@JoelApplegate]

Great to see you again, Seth. It's been a minute for me. And Robert is truly a gem to interview.

[@NOMAD-qp3dd]

Great interview.

[@JerryPenna]

This is awesome! Well done Seth!

[@VictimAdvocate]

You struck gold with this one.

[@tangojuli209]

if i had to make a dying wish it would be and hour sit down w sapolsky n friends. Loved this.

[@TattooedGranny]

Excellent video, great guest and thoughtful questioning. Dr. Sapolsky is amazing.

[@richardnunziata3221]

When you leave religion its usually the first time you are forced to actually thing out and reason moral issues in your life

[@poloticsfunny1125]

Just to tell you I’m very grateful for having to hear both of you thanks 😊love ❤

[@irynasakharchuk7044]

Thank you so much❤

[@Kindertautenleider]

wonderful episode great guests

[@ohelno]

Thanks for the sane interview. I’d like to hear you interview the Efilist philosopher “Inmendham”.

[@jcondron]

I love Robert Sapolsky and agree wholeheartedly with his position on free will. He needs, though, to figure out a way to distinguish reinforcement and punishment for the purpose of adjusting behavior from retribution and reward.

[@bc-nq4hz]

I think he does a good job of discerning the two, if you draw the lines between reinforcement-quarantine and punishment-incarceration. A criminal quarantine, in the best case, would function as social reinforcement/reeducation.

[@mobiusd9885]

I greatly enjoyed this video. And Erika's questions were great. I always enjoy listening to her.

[@kimshaw-williams]

Fascinating conversation. thanks gentlemen.

[@Where_is_Waldo]

This was excellent from start to finish! Including Erika was a wonderful surprise.

[@richardfrederick1885]

Excellent interview

[@huffdaddy3845]

Excellent show!

[@lbradshaw316]

Please get gutsy gibbin and Robert together! I would watch that on repeat.

[@arboreusmcclane1672]

Prof. Sapolsky is the GOAT

[@NicholasWilliams-kd3eb]

The key differential between religious ideology, and mechanistic problem solving. Religion = One isn't experimenting with differentials. Mechanistic problem solving = is experimenting with differentials. Religion is the adherence to a structure, while mechanistic problem solving is formulating new structures.

[@justinlockhart5417]

Thank you so much, Seth for the interview with Dr. Sapolsky. He opened up my eyes to the science of human behavior. I also loved how he smashed this notion of free will. Yet at the same time, understanding that while we are victims of our environment , we also need to protect the society from damaged individuals, not demonizing or brutalizing said individuals, which brings me to this question: Have you ever thought of bringing Dr. James Gilligan on to your program, he is a prison who wrote a fascinating book titled "Violence" I watched a interview with him. He is exceptional as well.

[@centaur7607]

Great interview!

[@josephbelisle5792]

Great interview. If only the networks did interviews this good and this in depth. I have to agree with Dr. Sapolsky regarding free will. I have CPTSD. In trying to heal from it Ive been doing years of therapy and what Ive discovered is that we have no free will. The conditions that brought us into being. Our biology. Our chromosomes. Our early years. Society. Everything we understand that affects us sets the patterns of our actions. Dr. Sapolsky is correct that one day when we've given up silly things like religion and philosophy we will understand how everything that makes us what we are determines our behavior. This is what I've learned.

[@BertWald-wp9pz]

I watch and read everything Sapolsky. Entertaining and thought provoking, open and modest. He sometimes touches on Atheist and religion but it is not central. I was brought up Christian, sent to Church, Church School education and declared myself Atheist almost as soon as I left for college. The upbringing tends to make me revisit my thinking often but questions such as what is consciousness, what is space and time, what can we know? Have left me feeling a sort of disinterest in ploughing the rather narrow preconceptions that generally accompany religion. The more ephemeral, abstract side is all ok with me but - it is abstract! The philosophical aspects of life always seemed to me to need some insight into my own psychology, the thinking person exposed to these ideas. Sapolsky gets pretty close to the core of how I now think, if I understand him correctly. A regular does of Sapolsky is somehow always welcome. A wonderful person though no doubt he will not take credit for this!

[@meteor1237]

Reading Determined now; super read!

[@chuckjines67]

Outstanding interview

[@rainerluthershelley5131]

A Wonderful listen. Thanks Everyone. 👏

[@Skullsparklez]

This collab.... legendary

[@Guitcad1]

It's amazing to have two people, who work in two different spheres, who I've come to respect separately over the years, each within their own separate sphere, and now here they are being awesome at their respective things together.

[@sylviaowega3839]

Great and enlightening video Seth! I always enjoy here Dr. Robert Sapolsky speak, and you asking good questions.

[@scottfauber]

Seth + Sapolsky = Awesome

[@pamelacollins1153]

Thank you so much for this wonderful hour of intelligent, empathetic, scientific conversation ❤

[@nash984954]

Thanks, Seth. Excellent time of it.

[@christopherchilton-smith6482]

47:40 I'm trying to work my way through Behave right now and as a self directed learner, this thing is a beast of a book, I'm slow going and re reading things a lot before moving on. I'm determined not to start Determined before finishing Behave.

[@tamarausher60]

Despite of being atheist, around of Robert has created a sort of belief system. People like me read his books, heard his lectures and every single interview he does on youtube.. and I believe that Rober Sapolsky is the great human being, very emphatic and wise. Long live y prosper, Robert .

[@sboland1016]

Fascinating. And love that Linus!!!

[@thefisherking78]

YASSSSSSS GUTSICK CROSSOVER 😁

[@stevenbrown6277]

Great interview. Thank you.

[@LateNightKaiju]

Thanks

[@chuckjines67]

We are all the end products of a bunch of stuff that happened in the past that we had absolutely no control over... So much for "free will." Good morning 🌄

[@NiekLodewijkx]

Great guest.

[@christopherchilton-smith6482]

Excellent interview.

[@jeremysmetana8583]

"Dr. Sapolsky isn't wearing chains." "Just psychic ones." LOL

[@summondadrummin2868]

Reductive perspectives ignore the big picture, it takes a Universe to have this experience, somehow its all connected and profoundly complex.

[@johnmitchell8925]

Thanks guys i enjoyed this very much 😊

[@PARebecca]

How did I become me? I have been doing a great deal of research trying to answer that question. I love these conversations because they are helping me understand how I became me.

[@Notalloldpeople]

Me two. I can see now how some of my behaviours have been shaped by countless prior generations - why my widower great grandfather volunteered to fight in WW1? How his death shaped my orphaned grandfathers behaviour and his my fathers and so on. Similar on my mother’s side and I can trace it back and think I can explain some of each generations behaviours and my own based on the previous one’s experiences.

[@MegaPeedee]

I'm struggling to discover how I became Napoleon.

[@DorothyPotterSnyder]

This argument is precisely why I am against prizes of any kind. As for criminals, they should be seen with compassion and as results of our flawed social order and reasons to do better.