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
Obvious Adams
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
The Wager
Musashi
Destined For War
Who We Are and How We Got Here
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Dirt to Soil
King Lear
The Blue Sweater
God's Debris
A Splendid Exchange
The (Honest) Truth About Dishonesty
Nudge
Neuromancer
The Great Mental Models
American Nations
Incognito
Kochland
Ringworld
The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross
Eating Animals
The Jewish Century
Something Like an Autobiography
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
The Art of  Scientific Investigation
The Fourth Turning
Technofeudalism
Physics of the Future
Stories of Your Life and Others
The Big Score
The Man Who Solved The Market
Recapturing The Spirit Of Enterprise
Slouching Towards Bethlehem
Creativity, Inc.
Building the Intentional University
The Hour Between Dog and Wolf
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
Math, Better Explained
The Unquiet Grave
Bad For You
Scaling People
The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind
What is Life?
Road to Wigan Pier
In Over Our Heads
Prosperity
Fewer
The Lizard King
Social Cognition
A Mind At Play
The Essays of Schopenhauer
The Dream of Reason
End of Illness
Stumbling on Happiness
Automate This
The 4 Hour Body
Investment Biker
Creative Selection
The Doors of Perception
Citizen Coke
Thermoinfocomplexity
You
Who
Adult Children of Alcoholics
The Gospel of Wealth
A Father First
James Turrell
Where Good Ideas Come From
Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life
Judgment in Managerial Decision Making
The Hydrogen Sonata
Midnight In Chernobyl
Cryptonomicon
Secrets of Closing the Sale
The Power Broker
Charged
Tools and Weapons
Deep Medicine
Tribe
Think Again
Getting It Done
Rise of the Robots
The Global Macro Edge
Entangled Life
Conscious Business
Taxes Have Consequences
The Visual Display of Quantitative Information
The New Jim Crow
The Ordeal of Civility
The Little Bitcoin Book
Happiness
Biography of the Dollar
Future Forward
The New One
Breaking Out of Beginner's Spanish
Man's Search for Meaning
Loonshots
The Underdog Founder
Prisoners of Geography