Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Tristan de Liège, Mike Mazza, Gregory Salmieri and Ben Bayer discuss Kevin Mitchell’s book, Free Agents: How Evolution Gave Us Free Will [amazon.com/Free-Agents-Evolution-Gave-Will/dp/0691226237]
· 0:00 Introduction
· 11:20 Philosophy and science
· 26:02 The locus of free will
· 31:56 Moral responsibility
· 41:21 The relevance of quantum mechanics
· 1:01:08 Determinism
· 1:07:02 Aristotle
· 1:18:07 Randomness and indeterminacy
· 1:32:50 “Agent causation” vs entity causation
· 1:39:29 Blank slate
Resources:
• Harry Binswanger’s essay “Volition as Cognitive Self-Regulation.” [sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/074959789190019P]
This episode was recorded on October 9, 2025.
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In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Tristan de Liège, Mike Mazza, Gregory Salmieri and Ben Bayer discuss Kevin Mitchell’s book, Free Agents: How Evolution Gave Us Free Will [amazon.com/Free-Agents-Evolution-Gave-Will/dp/0691226237]
· 0:00 Introduction
· 11:20 Philosophy and science
· 26:02 The locus of free will
· 31:56 Moral responsibility
· 41:21 The relevance of quantum mechanics
· 1:01:08 Determinism
· 1:07:02 Aristotle
· 1:18:07 Randomness and indeterminacy
· 1:32:50 “Agent causation” vs entity causation
· 1:39:29 Blank slate
Resources:
• Harry Binswanger’s essay “Volition as Cognitive Self-Regulation.” [sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/074959789190019P]
This episode was recorded on October 9, 2025.
Subscribe to ARI’s YouTube channel to make sure you never miss a video:
youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=AynRandInstitute
Download or stream free courses on Ayn Rand’s works and ideas with the Ayn Rand Institute app:
– App Store itunes.apple.com/us/app/ayn-rand-university/id1452535178?mt=8
– Google Play play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aynrandu
ARI is funded by donor contributions. You can support our work by becoming an ARI Member or making a one-time contribution: ari.aynrand.org/donate
Explore these ideas further! ARI's online publication, New Ideal, explores pressing cultural issues from the perspective of Ayn Rand’s philosophy, Objectivism: newideal.aynrand.org
******
Keep in Touch! Sign up to receive email updates from ARI: aynrand.org/signup
Follow ARI on Twitter: twitter.com/AynRandInst
Follow ARI on Facebook: facebook.com/AynRandInstitute
Follow ARI on Instagram: instagram.com/aynrandorg
Subscribe to the ARI Live! podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ayn-rand-institute-live/id1440399458
******
Join an upcoming virtual or in-person event: ari.aynrand.org/events
Visit ARI’s website for more about our content and programs: ari.aynrand.org
