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The Science of Fate

The New Science of Who We Are - And How to Shape our Best Future

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The Science of Fate

By: Hannah Critchlow
Narrated by: Hannah Critchlow
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About this listen

 Are we really the masters of our own destiny? Neuroscientist Hannah Critchlow shows how far our future is already hardwired in our brains. Like Sapiens and Thinking Fast and Slow, The Science of Fate revolutionises the way we understand our species and ourselves.

So many of us believe that we are free to shape our own destiny. But what if free will doesn't exist? What if our lives are largely predetermined, hardwired in our brains - and our choices over what we eat, who we fall in love with, even what we believe are not real choices at all?

Neuroscience is challenging everything we think we know about ourselves, revealing how we make decisions and form our own reality, unaware of the role of our unconscious minds. Did you know, for example, that:

* You can carry anxieties and phobias across generations of your family?
* Your genes and pleasure and reward receptors in your brain will determine how much you eat?
* We can sniff out ideal partners with genes that give our offspring the best chance of survival?

Leading neuroscientist Hannah Critchlow draws vividly from everyday life and other experts in their field to show the extraordinary potential, as well as dangers, which come with being able to predict our likely futures - and looking at how we can alter what's in store for us.

Lucid, illuminating, awe-inspiring The Science of Fate revolutionises our understanding of who we are - and empowers us to help shape a better future for ourselves and the wider world.

(P)2019 Hodder & Stoughton Limited©2019 Hannah Critchlow Biological Sciences Destiny Neuroscience & Neuropsychology Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science Human Brain Health Mental Health

Critic reviews

'It's been the question that has inspired, stultified and petrified humanity across the millennia. What is our fate? From the goddess Nemesis to the theory of free will we've struggled. Until now. Acute, mind-opening, highly accessible - this book doesn't just explain how our lives might pan out, it helps us live better.' (Bettany Hughes)
'A humane and highly readable account of the neuroscience that underpins our ideas of free will and fate' (Professor David Runciman)
'A truly fascinating - if unnerving - read' (Chris Evans)
All stars
Most relevant
Any book that greatly increases my knowledge and understanding of such a complex subject, deserves 5 stars from me.
Hannah Critchlow , does a great job of explaining her subject without losing me. The research and new discoveries are astounding. New possibilities are explained well , but are also balanced by the potential moral arguments.
A good informative read.

Fascinating Subject

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This is an excellent book on the tenuous balance between biologic determinism and free will. It is well worth the time spent listening whether you have a background in science or are just someone interested in neuroscience and free will.

An excellent book on biologic determinism

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Brilliant guide to the insights neuroscience is bringing to the age old questions of fate, free will, in social progress and the meaning of life.

Clear, compassionate and genuinely helpful

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A very engaging read. Having worked in Mental Health I have had some exposure to psychiatry and psychology, but would never consider myself deeply knowledgable in either of these subject areas, but keen to learn more.

This book covers a good many concepts with deep intellectual well argued and substantiated research but does so in a way to make it engaging and accessible. Equally, it is not so shallow as to assume the reader is without good reasoning or an enquiring mind.

Very well written, very well read (Audible). And one I would most definitely recommend.

An engaging and intelligent read.

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brilliant read, content accessible to read and not too science heavy but enough to keep you gripped. I like the authors voice, super relaxing to listen to.

fascinating

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