The Argument from Neuroscience
The question of free will goes to the root of our
views about human nature and how we relate to
the universe and to natural laws. Are we
completely defined by the deterministic nature of
physical laws?... Or, do we have some
independence in making choices and actions, not
completely determined by the known physical
laws? I have taken an experimental approach to at
least some aspect of [this] question…
Clearly, the brain process (RP) to prepare for this
voluntary act began about 400 msec. before the
appearance of the conscious will to act (W). This
relationship was true for every group of 40 trials
and in every one of the nine subjects studied…
the initiation of the freely voluntary act appears to
begin in the brain unconsciously, well before the
person consciously knows he wants to act!
Is there, then, any role for the conscious will in
the performance of a voluntary act?
The Argument from Neuroscience
1) The action in a Libet experiment is initiated by
the readiness potential.
2) If (1), then it’s not initiated by the conscious
will.
3) If it’s not initiated by a conscious will, then it’s
not free.
4) If the action in a Libet experiment is not free,
then none of our actions are free.
5) None of our actions are free.
The Argument from Neuroscience
1) The action in a Libet experiment is initiated by
the readiness potential.
2) If (1), then it’s not initiated by the conscious
will.
3) If it’s not initiated by a conscious will, then it’s
not free.
4) If the action in a Libet experiment is not free,
then there are no free actions.
5) There are no free actions.
Potentially available to the conscious function is
the possibility of stopping or vetoing the final
process, so that no actual muscle action ensues.
Conscious-will could thus affect the outcome of the
volitional process even though the latter was
initiated by unconscious cerebral processes.
Conscious-will might block or veto the process, so
that no act occurs.
The Argument from Neuroscience
1) The action in a Libet experiment is initiated by
the readiness potential.
2) If (1), then it’s not initiated by the conscious
will.
3) If it’s not initiated by a conscious will, then it’s
not free.
4) If the action in a Libet experiment is not free,
then there are no free actions.
5) There are no free actions.