In one of L. Neil Smith’s libertarian-ish sci-fi novels, I recall in he made a comment that to understand human action, it’s not either nature (genes), or nurture (environment), but rather it’s more like one-third nature, one-third nurture, and one-third free will (choice, volition). I loved it and have long remembered it, but now I can’t find it. If anyone knows where I can find this, please leave a comment below or email me.
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Found it. From The Probability Broach:
“Philosophers have debated the causes of human behavior: heredity or environment? Are heroes and villains made or born? Confederate school children know that nature and nurture are only part of the answer, two-thirds, to be exact. The remaining third, taken as axiomatic here, is individual free will. They don’t dismiss it as an illusion, or a whimsical choice between trivial alternatives.”
