I used to very politely say that if there is free will then it's in all sorts of boring places, like whether you're going to pick up this or that fork as you begin your meal. There really is none: It's all biology.
Robert SapolskyRead
Genes are not about inevitabilities; they're about potentials and vulnerabilities.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Genes influence our traits but do not determine our fate; they present possibilities and weaknesses.
This quote by Robert Sapolsky highlights the complex role of genes in our lives. Instead of suggesting that our genetic makeup unavoidably dictates our future, it emphasizes that genes offer a range of potentials that can lead to various outcomes, while also revealing inherent vulnerabilities that require consideration in our personal and social environments.
Themes
GenesPotentialVulnerabilityDeterminismBiology
In practice
Example use cases
A scientist discussing genetic research at a conference might include this quote to illustrate the nuanced view of genetics.
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All quotes →When you've wised up enough, there is a very clear conclusion that you have to reach after a while, which is, at the end of the day, it is really impossible for one person to make a difference.
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My adolescent rebellions took the form of, if anything, passive aggressively doing what was asked of me but doing it ten times more than what was asked of me, so that eventually they'd have to beg me to stop.
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Yes, genes are important for understanding our behavior. Incredibly important - after all, they code for every protein pertinent to brain function, endocrinology, etc., etc. But the regulation of genes is often more interesting than the genes themselves, and it's the environment that regulates genes.
Robert SapolskyRead
I expected social rank to be the determining factor in health, and in some ways that's true. But far more important is what sort of society that rank occurs in. Being low ranking in a benevolent troop is a hell of a lot better for your blood pressure than being low ranking in an aggressive troop.
Robert SapolskyRead
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