Some scientists argue that we are not responsible for the way we behave, rather that our actions are a combination of genetic disposition, upbringing, experiences, illness and traumas. As a result, it has been argued that we have no choice in what we do.

Indeed, this idea is already acknowledged in the British legal system where the partial defence of ‘diminished responsibility’ can lessen a punishment. We also recognise the traumatising effects on soldiers and victims from war zones and crime, and the character-changing effects of some illnesses  and brain damaging accidents.

Dr Sam Harris is leading proponent of the ‘Free Will Is An illusion’ argument. Dr Harris is a neuroscientist and science journalist, Dr Sam Harris. On the 17th September we will watch a presentation in which he argues that organised religions lose their point if we believe we are not responsible for the way we behave.

The presentation will be briefly introduced by Professor Geoff Pritchard, who will then give a short summary of theological support for people being able to exercise Free Will.

This will be followed by an open discussion, led by Chris Shepherd, where you can air your views.

We look forward to seeing you. Please also feel free to pass on these details to anyone you feel would be interested.

Dr Sam Harris Biopic

Sam Harris is the author of the New York Times bestsellers, The End of Faith, Letter to a Christian Nation, The Moral Landscape, and Free Will. His writing has been published in more than 15 languages. He and his work have been discussed in The New York Times, Time, Scientific American, Nature, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, and many other journals. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Economist, Newsweek, The Times (London), The Boston Globe, The Atlantic, The Annals of Neurology, and elsewhere.

He is a cofounder and the CEO of Project Reason, a nonprofit foundation devoted to spreading scientific knowledge and secular values in society. He received a degree in philosophy from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from UCLA.