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
Empires of Light
The Scout Mindset
Quantum Computing Since Democritus
Heretics of Dune
The Making of an American Thinking Class
Draft No. 4
Notes From an Apocalypse
The Richest Man in Babylon
That Will Never Work
Trillion Dollar Triage
The Precipice
The Art of War in the Middle Ages
Dear Leader
Probability, Random Variables and Stochastic Processes
Follow The Money
Matthew Barney & Elizabeth Peyton
For A New Liberty
Energy And Civilization
Intellectuals
The Nature of the Beast
Fauna & Family
Dear Founder
The Trial of Socrates
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Animal Farm
Sunset at Blandings
Seeing Serena
That Used To Be Us
Thinking, Fast and Slow
Inside The House of Money
Factfulness
100 Best-Loved Poems
Hunger of Memory
Catching the Big Fish
The Big Test
The Internet of Money Volume 2
Foundation and Empire
Parents Who Lead
Me Talk Pretty One Day
P53
Brotopia
Timelines of World History
The Prince
On Writing Well
Memories, Dreams, Reflections
Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
The Art of Memoir
The MAGA Doctrine
Indistractable
On Trails
Zero to One
Capitalism Without Capital
Why We Get Fat
Industrial-Strength Denial
However Long the Night
I am Benjamin Franklin
The Signal and the Noise
White Fragility
The Singularity Is Near
The Dream Machine
The Sketchbooks of Chris Wilkinson
No Bull
Brave Enough
The Autobiography of Charles Darwin
Meditation Station
In FED We Trust
The History of Money
Defend The Border and Save Lives
Children of Dune
The Science of Success
Breath From Salt
Liberty Under Seige
The Gutsy Girl
The Decadent Society
Scientific Freedom
Fables
Iacocca
Liar's Poker
In Cold Blood
The Sixth Man
Modern Aramaic (Assyrinan/Syriac) Dictionary
Direct Truth
The Red Decade
State of Fear
The Second Machine Age
Founding Brothers
Visual Explanations
Writing Down The Bones
Modern Engineering for Design of Liquid Propellant Rocket Engines
Steve Jobs
Triumph Of The City
The Role of the Individual in History
Principles for Dealing With The Changing World Order
Leadership and Self-Deception
Predictably Irrational
Jurassic Park
Hard Landing
The Great CEO Within
Outliers