Single Idea 4925

[catalogued under 16. Persons / F. Free Will / 5. Against Free Will]

Full Idea

Libet concluded that the cerebral initiation of a spontaneous, freely voluntary act can begin unconsciously, that is, before there is any recallable awareness that a decision to act has already been initiated cerebrally.

Clarification

That is, the brain decides before the mind is aware of deciding

Gist of Idea

Brains can initiate free actions before the person is aware of their own decision

Source

G Edelman / G Tononi (Consciousness: matter becomes imagination [2000], Ch. 6)

Book Reference

Edelman,G/Tononi,G: 'Consciousness: how matter becomes imagination' [Penguin 2000], p.69


A Reaction

We should accept this result. 'Free will' was always a bogus metaphysical concept (invented, I think, because God had to be above natural laws). A person is the source of responsibility, and is the controller of the brain, but not entirely conscious.