You will be shown a timer, counting down from 60s to 0s. At a time of your choosing, tap on the desk...

You will be shown a timer, counting down from 60s to 0s. At a time of your choosing, tap on the desk

with your pen. Record the time at which you decided to

tap on the desk

Libet’s (1985) study of voluntary action

Onset of readiness potential

Action carried out

PP reports intention to act

electrical brain activity

What does Libet’s finding imply about the role of conscious choice in behaviour?

The determinist stance

Conscious ‘choice’ does not determine behaviour

Epiphenomenalism Mental states are a by-product of brain

states that have no causal properties NB: see the ‘mind-body problem’

The determinist stance

Libet’s compromise: The brain generates many possible ways of

behaving Free will is the ‘chooser’

The homunculus problemThis is called an infinite regress. It is bad.

Libet’s position requires a

‘chooser’ to decide how we act

Can free will exist in a universe governed by physical laws?

Is it possible to preserve ‘freedom of choice’ without falling into dualism?

Can we do psychology without being determinists?

Reading

Gross (1996) pp.874-876Pennington (2003) pp. 229-231

Documents