Robert Sapolsky

罗伯特·萨波尔斯基是美国神经科学家、灵长类动物学家和作家，数十年来致力于揭示压力与人类行为的生物学机制。作为斯坦福大学的约翰·A. 和辛西娅·弗莱·冈恩教授，他在生物学、神经学和神经外科领域均有任职。他的研究范围从压力激素的细胞效应到肯尼亚野生狒狒的行为动态，使他成为同代人中最具影响力的科学传播者之一。萨波尔斯基的著作，包括《斑马为什么不得胃溃疡》和《行为》，已售出数百万册，并塑造了公众对大脑的理解。他以反对自由意志的挑衅性立场而闻名，他认为自由意志是由生物学和环境驱动的幻觉。2018年，《时代》杂志将他评为全球最具影响力的100人之一。[编辑]

萨波尔斯基在弗拉特布什的一个东正教犹太家庭长大，是个好奇心旺盛的孩子，如饥似渴地阅读科幻小说和自然史书籍。12岁时，灵长类动物学家舍伍德·沃什伯恩的一本书点燃了他对狒狒的痴迷。14岁时，他开始给沃什伯恩和其他科学家写信，自学斯瓦希里语，并计划他的第一次非洲之旅。他就读于布鲁克林的约翰·杜威高中，这是一所进步公立学校，他在科学方面表现出色。在哈佛大学，他于1978年以最高荣誉毕业于生物人类学专业，并在东非度过暑假观察狒狒群。他于1984年在洛克菲勒大学获得神经内分泌学博士学位，其研究涉及在大鼠大脑中植入电极以研究压力激素。[编辑]

在索尔克研究所完成博士后研究后，萨波尔斯基于1986年加入斯坦福大学担任助理教授。同年，他成为肯尼亚国家博物馆的研究助理，从而得以在马赛马拉对一群橄榄狒狒进行年度实地考察。他的第一本书《睾酮的烦恼》（1989年）确立了他作为科学散文作家的地位。但《斑马为什么不得胃溃疡》（1997年）是他的突破之作，这本畅销书对压力反应的解释引起了广泛共鸣。2017年，《行为》综合了生物学和人类行为，赢得了《洛杉矶时报》图书奖。他2023年的著作《注定》反对自由意志，引发了全球辩论。截至2026年，他继续在斯坦福大学任教，并正在撰写一本关于同理心神经科学的新书。[编辑]

萨波尔斯基以其语速极快的讲话风格、浓重的纽约口音以及用幽默和故事让复杂的神经科学变得通俗易懂的能力而闻名。媒体常称他为科学界的摇滚明星，强调他愿意挑战关于自由意志和人性的假设。他的粉丝主要是科学爱好者和学生；像r/BehavioralBiology这样的在线社区积极讨论他的工作。在社交媒体上，他的语气机智而直接，在捍卫自己的立场时偶尔会带有攻击性。[编辑]

Robert Sapolsky does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings (Global Top 1,000 or a Top-100 scope list). While the iFANN Global Fame Engine has evaluated his profile, the current data indicates he does not hold a specific numeric rank within the published Global Top 1,000 or any scope-specific top-100 lists. His presence in the rankings fluctuates with the release of major works and high-profile lectures, yet he remains a consistent fixture in discussions regarding neuroscience and free will. The audience surrounding Sapolsky lacks a formalized name, distinguishing his following from the organized fandoms typical of entertainment industries. Instead, his supporters constitute an academic and intellectual community comprising students, researchers, and science enthusiasts who engage with his arguments through university courses, book clubs, and online discourse. There are no documented fan campaigns, birthday billboards, or ritualistic gatherings dedicated to his person; the engagement is characterized by the dissemination of his theories on determinism and the biological underpinnings of human nature. His interactions occur primarily through his roles as a Stanford professor and author, attracting listeners interested in rigorous scientific inquiry rather than celebrity worship. The narrative built around him relies on the intellectual impact of his books and lectures, specifically his explanation of why zebras do not get ulcers and his critique of the concept of free will, rather than on dramatic personal anecdotes or chaotic public scenes.[编辑]

Sapolsky taught himself Swahili at age 14 to prepare for his first African trip, a feat of linguistic dedication that foreshadowed his lifelong commitment to primatology. He has spent several months each year since 1978 studying the same troop of olive baboons in Kenya, establishing one of the longest-running field studies of its kind. A competitive runner during his high school and college years, he also bears a tattoo of a baboon on his left shoulder, a permanent marker of his professional passion. As a lifelong atheist, he has been open about his struggles with depression, adding a layer of personal vulnerability to his public persona. His essays have appeared in prestigious publications such as The New Yorker and Scientific American, reaching audiences far beyond the academy. Among the widely retold stories in his circle is the Determinism Argument, a central pillar of his public persona asserting that humans possess no free will, which has become a cultural touchstone for his audience through numerous interviews and articles. His status as a MacArthur Genius Fellow and member of the National Academy of Sciences serves as a recurring theme in discussions of his legacy, cementing his reputation as a leading voice in the biological sciences.[编辑]

萨波尔斯基与丽莎·萨波尔斯基博士结婚，她是一名医生和研究员。他们有两个孩子，一儿一女，住在旧金山湾区。他很少在采访中谈论家庭，保持严格的隐私界限。他的父亲是一名从苏联移民来的建筑师，母亲是家庭主妇。他在布鲁克林弗拉特布什一个关系紧密的东正教犹太社区长大。[编辑]

萨波尔斯基的博士导师是洛克菲勒大学的布鲁斯·麦克尤恩。他受到灵长类动物学家舍伍德·沃什伯恩的影响。他曾与理查德·道金斯合作进行科学传播，并与山姆·哈里斯辩论自由意志。在斯坦福大学，他与同事保罗·埃利希和威廉·H. 达勒姆一起工作。[编辑]

罗伯特·萨波尔斯基与医生丽莎·萨波尔斯基博士结婚。这对夫妇已经在一起几十年了，但关系的具体开始年份没有公开记录。他们有两个孩子。没有公开已知的先前关系、高调恋情或离婚。截至2026年，萨波尔斯基仍与丽莎·萨波尔斯基博士保持婚姻关系。[编辑]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Robert Sapolsky's net worth stands at $10 Million as of 2026. His primary income source is his tenured professorship at Stanford, earning an estimated $250,000–$350,000 annually. Book royalties from Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers, Behave, and Determined have sold over 2 million copies combined, generating $500,000+ per year. He commands $20,000–$50,000 per speaking engagement, giving 20–30 paid lectures annually. Additional income comes from documentary and media appearances, including Stress: Portrait of a Killer and The Mind, Explained. He owns a home in the San Francisco Bay Area valued at $2–3 million and maintains a diversified investment portfolio.[编辑]

萨波尔斯基因其科学传播和研究获得了多项奖项，包括《洛杉矶时报》图书奖（《Behave》，2017年）、卡尔·萨根科学普及奖（2019年）以及神经科学学会终身成就奖（2024年）。他还在1987年获得了麦克阿瑟奖。[编辑]