Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Do we truly have free will, or are our choices determined by biology, upbringing and brain chemistry? In this episode of Unbelievable?, John Nelson hosts a lively philosophical dialogue between Joe Folley, host of Unsolicited Advice, and Dr Nathan Hawkins, a Christian philosopher who teaches at Cambridge.
00:00 Do We Really Have Free Will?
01:35 Libertarianism, Compatibilism & No Free Will Explained
05:02 Why Nathan Defends Libertarian Free Will
08:13 Has Science Disproved Free Will?
11:00 Sam Harris, Brain Scans & the Libet Experiments
19:03 Can Free Will Survive Determinism?
24:57 Alex O’Connor’s “Determined or Random” Objection
34:47 Is There Really a “Self” Making Choices?
47:35 Racism, Upbringing & Moral Responsibility
1:11:21 Can a Compatibilist Be Convinced of Libertarian Free Will?
Together they explore libertarian free will, compatibilism and determinism, asking whether neuroscience has disproved human freedom, whether our thoughts are “just brain states”, and whether moral responsibility survives if our choices are shaped by forces beyond our control. Along the way they discuss Sam Harris, Robert Sapolsky, Alex O’Connor, Libet experiments, Peter Tse, moral blame, racism, brain tumours, pragmatism, idealism and the mystery of human agency. A thoughtful, accessible deep dive into freedom, responsibility and the self.
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🎧 Never miss an episode! Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast a www.premier.plus/unbelievable 🎙️
🔗 Get bonus content, updates, fascinating articles, and early access to new episodes - absolutely free! Join now at www.premierunbelievable.com 📢
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Do we truly have free will, or are our choices determined by biology, upbringing and brain chemistry? In this episode of Unbelievable?, John Nelson hosts a lively philosophical dialogue between Joe Folley, host of Unsolicited Advice, and Dr Nathan Hawkins, a Christian philosopher who teaches at Cambridge.
00:00 Do We Really Have Free Will?
01:35 Libertarianism, Compatibilism & No Free Will Explained
05:02 Why Nathan Defends Libertarian Free Will
08:13 Has Science Disproved Free Will?
11:00 Sam Harris, Brain Scans & the Libet Experiments
19:03 Can Free Will Survive Determinism?
24:57 Alex O’Connor’s “Determined or Random” Objection
34:47 Is There Really a “Self” Making Choices?
47:35 Racism, Upbringing & Moral Responsibility
1:11:21 Can a Compatibilist Be Convinced of Libertarian Free Will?
Together they explore libertarian free will, compatibilism and determinism, asking whether neuroscience has disproved human freedom, whether our thoughts are “just brain states”, and whether moral responsibility survives if our choices are shaped by forces beyond our control. Along the way they discuss Sam Harris, Robert Sapolsky, Alex O’Connor, Libet experiments, Peter Tse, moral blame, racism, brain tumours, pragmatism, idealism and the mystery of human agency. A thoughtful, accessible deep dive into freedom, responsibility and the self.
Subscribe & Support
👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show going at premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate💡
🎧 Never miss an episode! Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast a www.premier.plus/unbelievable 🎙️
🔗 Get bonus content, updates, fascinating articles, and early access to new episodes - absolutely free! Join now at www.premierunbelievable.com 📢
Follow us
Instagram: instagram.com/premierunbelievable
Facebook: facebook.com/premierunbelievable
Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable
X: https://x.com/UnbelievableFE
