Who's In Charge

Free Will and the Science of the Brain

Michael Gazzaniga

Recommended By

Book Reviews

Book Synopsis

"Who's In Charge" by Michael Gazzaniga is a thought-provoking and enlightening exploration of the complexities of human consciousness and free will. Drawing on his expertise as a leading neuroscientist, Gazzaniga challenges traditional notions of personal responsibility in the face of scientific discoveries about the brain.

In this captivating book, Gazzaniga delves into the fascinating world of neuroscience, shedding light on the intricate workings of the brain and how they relate to our sense of self and agency. He examines the impact of research on split-brain patients, who have had the connection between their brain hemispheres severed, revealing surprising results that challenge the idea of a unified and coherent self.

Through engaging anecdotes and rigorous scientific evidence, Gazzaniga dismantles long-held beliefs about free will, arguing that our actions are not solely determined by conscious decision-making but are instead influenced by myriad unconscious processes. He explores the influential role of genetics, environment, and brain activity, highlighting the intricate interplay of these factors in shaping our behavior.

With clear and concise prose, Gazzaniga skillfully navigates the complex terrain of neurobiology, presenting complex ideas in a way that is accessible and compelling. He encourages readers to rethink their assumptions about personal responsibility and moral judgment, urging a more nuanced understanding of the intricate dance between biology and behavior.

"Who's In Charge" challenges readers to contemplate the implications of the latest research in neuroscience for our legal systems, societal structures, and personal beliefs. Gazzaniga provokes thought and ignites conversation, ultimately inviting us to grapple with the age-old question: who, or what, is truly in charge of our actions?

Explore More Books

See All
Montaigne's Essays
Mission
The World is Flat
The Origins of Virtue
The Politics Industry
Charged
Big World, Small Planet
Parents Who Lead
The Celestine Prophecy
How An Economy Grows and Why It Crashes
The Canceling of the American Mind
Healthy Buildings
The Richest Man in Babylon
Letters from a Stoic
Creating Shareholder Value
Mortal Republic
The Evolution of Beauty
That's What She Said
The Holy Grail of Investing
The Spectator
A Technique for Producing Ideas
1,000 Foods To Eat Before You Die
This Brave New World
Talking to Strangers
Execution
The Narrow Corridor
On Grief and Grieving
The Story of Civilization: The Age of Voltaire
Hard Drive
Clear Thinking
Merchants of Truth
Graphs, Maps, Trees
DMT: The Spirit Molecule
Great Expectations
Rock On
Twelve Against The Gods
Concentrated Investing
Thus Spoke the Plant
The Doors of Perception
Maisy Mouse Collection
Diffusion of Innovations
Certain To Win
The Oz Principle
The Romance of American Communism
The Medici Effect
Calm Your Mind with Food
The Model Thinker
The Rise And Fall Of American Growth
If At Birth You Don't Succeed
I Seem To Be A Verb
Order Without Design
The Nature of the Beast
Cashing in on the American Dream
Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage
A Short Guide to a Happy Life
The Essential Scratch and Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert
Adult Children of Alcoholics
Devil's Bargain
The Essential Writings
I Contain Multitudes
Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention
The Picture of Dorian Gray
How To Shoot Video That Doesn't Suck
Imaginable
The Clash of Civilization and the Remaking of World Order
Too Big to Fail
The Tyranny of Experts
All Marketers are Liars
The Painted Bird
Crash Proof 2.0
American Kingpin
The Big Short
The Halo Effect...
Nixonland
A Curious Mind
The Aspirational Investor
High Output Management
The Fortunes of Africa
Cuckoo
Personal Knowledge
The Visual Display of Quantitative Information
The Robotics Primer
Prepared
The Deficit Myth
Play Bigger
Excession
The Curse of the Mogul
Markings
The Fourth Turning
The Amber Spyglass
Impro
Levels of the Game
The Founders
Dynasty
Courage
Essays and Aphorisms
The Sixth Extinction
Nixon Agonistes
The Innovators
Masters of Doom