Dr. Jeff Friedman says most human processes are biologically determined.

Topic: Why do we eat too much?

Jeff Friedman:  Well, I think geneticists in general are less- have an underlying core belief that most of our processes are biologically determined. What is free will really is a major question. I’m--  At some level it has to do with who decides. Is it this basic biological drive that decides whether you’re- whether or not you eat or is it, quote, you who decide whether or not to eat, and then of course the question is who are, quote, you?  At the end of the day, unless you believe we’re metaphysical beings, there are neural circuits in our higher cognitive centers and there are neural centers in our more basal centers such as the hypothalamus. They’re all--  They all obey the physical laws of the universe and talk to one another and so what we’re really talking about at least with respect to feeding is who calls the shots, the basic drive or the conscious part of yourself that might decide you’d rather weigh ten fewer pounds. I think history is littered with examples of battles between basic drives and higher cognitive wishes and I’ll leave it at that and let you conclude for yourself which I think is the- is more powerful.