Yes, Robert Sapolsky’s neurobiological work completely dismantles the idea that humans are moral agents. In his book Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will, he argues that because every human action is entirely dictated by a seamless chain of biology, genetics, and environment, moral responsibility is a scientific impossibility. [1, 2, 3]

Regarding the second part of your question: yes, Sapolsky views the insistence on human moral agency precisely as self-regarding, a pose, conceited, and deeply hubristic. [1, 2]

Here is how his work reflects those specific attitudes:

1. Challenging Moral Agency

Sapolsky argues that human behavior is "turtles all the way down". An action is shaped by neurons firing a second before, which were triggered by hormone levels an hour before, which were shaped by childhood adversity decades ago, which was dictated by genes and evolutionary history. Because you have no control over the biological and environmental antecedents that built your brain, you cannot be an autonomous "agent". For Sapolsky, humans are not moral patients or agents; we are highly complex biological phenomena. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

2. Viewing Moral Pride as Conceited and Hubristic

Sapolsky holds immense contempt for systems like meritocracy, which he labels as mere "system justification"—a comforting myth the successful tell themselves to feel superior. [1]

• The "Pose" of Effort: He has noted that society is occasionally willing to attribute bad behavior to biology (like a tumor or a seizure), but it stubbornly defends the hubristic idea that good behavior or high "effort" is a product of a pure, untainted free will. [1, 2]
• Conceit of Merit: Sapolsky views taking praise for your achievements as scientifically absurd and deeply conceited. In his view, boasting about your strong moral character or work ethic is as logically hollow as boasting about your height; both are products of luck, biology, and environment. [1, 2, 3]

3. Deconstructing Retributive Justice

Because he sees our claims of moral agency as a self-regarding pose, Sapolsky advocates for a radical shift in how society operates: [1]

• No Room for Praise or Blame: Since no one truly "earns" their goodness or "chooses" their malice, praise, blame, and punishment are functionally meaningless concepts. [1]