factual

Epigenetics Gives No Alibi for Freedom

Epigenetics is a powerful mechanism explaining how early environment regulates gene function (including multigenerational trauma effects via eggs and sperm), but it offers no support for free will—you cannot consciously choose to reverse the epigenetic changes from your childhood; it functions by the same deterministic billiard-ball rules as everything else.

factualpending

Speaker

Robert Sapolsky

Evidence Quote

it's not that once you have conscious awareness and that you are a free organism you can now choose which of the epigenetic things that happened to you in childhood you reverse

Source

360 - We Really Don T Have Free WillMaking Sense with Sam Harris
Created: 6/14/2026, 2:19:39 AM

My Notes

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