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Quote by Jerry A. Coyne

“Which do you think is more valuable to humanity? a. Finding ways to tell humans that they have free will despite the incontrovertible fact that their actions are completely dictated by the laws of physics as instantiated in our bodies, brains and environments? That is, engaging in the honored philosophical practice of showing that our notion of "free will" can be compatible with determinism? or b. Telling people, based on our scientific knowledge of physics, neurology, and behavior, that our actions are predetermined rather than dictated by some ghost in our brains, and then sussing out the consequences of that conclusion and applying them to society? Of course my answer is b).”

Quote by Jerry A. Coyne

Author

Jerry A. Coyne
Jerry A. Coyne

Jerry A. Coyne is a renowned evolutionary biologist and writer, born on December 30, 1949. He is a professor at the University of Chicago, focusing on evolutionary biology and genetics. Coyne is known for his in-depth research on evolutionary theory and his contributions to science popularization. more

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