Welcome Book Clubs!

Dive into the fascinating world of The Science of Free Will. This page is designed to enrich your book club experience, offering resources to spark engaging discussions about determinism, free will, and their implications in our increasingly technological world.
Another useful way of thinking about the human brain is to think about the story of Apple, Inc. (formerly Apple Computer, Inc.).

Book Overview

The Science of Free Will: How Determinism Affects Everything from the Future of AI to Traffic to God to Bees explores the age-old debate of free will versus determinism through the lens of modern science. The book weaves together insights from physics, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and philosophy to offer a fresh perspective on human agency and decision-making.

Key Themes:

  • Determinism and its implications
  • Free Will in Practice (FWIP) vs. Free Will in Theory (FWIT)
  • The computational paradigm of the universe
  • Ethical considerations in AI development
  • The future of human decision-making

Author’s Note

Thank you for choosing my book for your book club. I hope this book challenges your perceptions and sparks meaningful conversations. The questions below are designed to guide your discussions, but don’t hesitate to explore beyond them. Your insights and interpretations are what bring this book to life.

If your book club would like to arrange a virtual Q&A session with me, please use the contact information at the bottom of this page, or use the contact form.

Happy reading and discussing!

Samir Varma

Suggested Companion Reads

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Discussion Questions

The lack of free will in theory—because the laws of physics are deterministic—is by far the most important and optimistic fact about the human condition.

Foundations of Free Will

  • How does the book define determinism? How does this definition challenge or align with your prior understanding?
  • Discuss the distinction between “Free Will in Theory” (FWIT) and “Free Will in Practice” (FWIP). How does this framework change your perspective on the free will debate?
  • The book argues that FWIT is impossible while FWIP is perfect. Do you find this argument convincing? Why or why not?
Free will is the absence of being able to predict what will occur.

The Computational Universe

  • How does the concept of computational irreducibility relate to free will? Does this change how you view your own decision-making process?
  • The book uses the analogy of computer operating systems to explain brain function. How effective do you find this comparison? What are its strengths and limitations?
“The laws of physics require life to exist on an obscure planet, circling an obscure star, on a spiral arm on the outskirts of an obscure galaxy.”

Implications for AI and Society

  • How might the ideas in this book influence the development of AI ethics? Do you agree with the book’s predictions about the future of AI?
  • The book suggests that as AI becomes more advanced, we may not be able to understand its decision-making processes. What ethical challenges does this present?
  • How does the book’s perspective on free will impact notions of personal responsibility and legal systems? Do you agree with these implications?
All of computing, and therefore every single thing in the universe that is computable, may be computed from a repeated combination of a single operation!

Personal Reflections

  • Has reading this book changed how you think about your own choices and actions? Can you provide an example?
  • The book discusses animal cognition, including experiments with bees and crows. How do these examples contribute to the overall argument about free will and consciousness?
To have the freedom to choose physical laws to suit its own purposes, the simulator would need to be able to choose from a large (or potentially infinite) collection of them.