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
Liberal Privelege
Investment Biker
A Most Beautiful Thing
Viral Loop
Modernity Without Restraint
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Blackout
Clear Thinking
Women
The Blind Watchmaker
Wake Up: Why The World Has Gone Nuts
The Princeton Companion to Mathematics
The Obstacle Is the Way
On The Principles of Political Economy and Taxation
One Billion Hungry
The Outermost House
God Emperor of Dune
The Fiat Standard
The Inmates Are Running the Asylum
The Fourth Turning
Educated
Planta Sapiens
Not Zero
How The Internet Happened
Rick and Morty Book Two
Count Down
Seven Brief Lessons on Physics
Principles for Dealing With The Changing World Order
Same As Ever
Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World
A Guide To The Good Life
Violence and Social Orders
The White Album
Syntax & Sage
The History of Money
Little Fires Everywhere
Deep Learning
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
More Human
A History of the Theory of Investments
The Trial of Socrates
How To Shoot Video That Doesn't Suck
Working Backwards
Dare To Fly
Chaos Monkeys
Rise of the Robots
On Bullshit
Startup
Maisy Mouse Collection
The Ones We Have Been Waiting For
George's Marvellous Medicine
Check Your Financial Privilege
The 5 Resets
Taxes Have Consequences
The Red Queen
100 Plus
The Emotionally Intelligent Investor
Think Again
The Meaning of the 21st Century
Autobiography of a Spiritually Incorrect Mystic
More Money Than God
Skin In The Game
Healing
Radical Son
Birth of a Theorem
High Fidelity
Acts of Love
Pride and Prejudice
The Precipice
A Bite-Sized History of France
A Life Decoded
Carry on, Jeeves
Find Me Unafraid
Everything is Bullshit
From Galileo to Newton
Tipping Points
Lessons for the Living
Parents Who Lead
Whiplash
Matter
The Doctrine of Deification in the Greek Patristic Tradition
Complexity
Plowman's Folly
The Double Helix
Gödel, Escher, Bach
Beyond Religion
Falling into Grace
Into Thin Air
The Moth Presents All These Wonders
Empires of Light
The Gift
The Martian
Self Reliance
Stories of Your Life and Others
Rich Woman
Sunset at Blandings
Tribe of Mentors
End The Fed
The Uninhabitable Earth
The Construction of Social Reality