A Famous Argument Against Free Will Has Been Debunked

A Famous Argument Against Free Will Has Been Debunked

10/21/2019

link

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2019/09/free-will-bereitschaftspotential/597736/

summary

This article delves into the concept of free will and the important role that neuroscience plays in understanding it. It discusses a study conducted in the 1980s that explored the brain's readiness potential, or 'bereitschaftspotential,' which precedes conscious decision-making. The article highlights how the study's findings challenge the traditional notion of free will, suggesting that our brains may make decisions unconsciously before we are aware of them. It also explores various viewpoints on the topic, including contrasting perspectives from science and philosophy. Ultimately, the article raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of free will and the implications of neuroscience research on our understanding of personal agency.

tags

perception ꞏ neural dynamics ꞏ brain potentials ꞏ brain activity ꞏ psychology ꞏ neural patterns ꞏ neural correlates ꞏ brain research ꞏ brain plasticity ꞏ brain science ꞏ neuroscience ꞏ unconscious processes ꞏ philosophy of mind ꞏ brain imaging ꞏ cognitive science ꞏ neural circuitry ꞏ eeg ꞏ neurobiology ꞏ brain mapping ꞏ motor cortex ꞏ neurophysiology ꞏ action potential ꞏ brain activity monitoring ꞏ cognitive neuroscience ꞏ brain functions ꞏ agency ꞏ neuroscience research ꞏ neural networks ꞏ self-control ꞏ neural coding ꞏ introspection ꞏ brain waves ꞏ neural mechanisms ꞏ neural pathways ꞏ motor preparation ꞏ mind-body connection ꞏ mental processes ꞏ free will ꞏ volition ꞏ determinism ꞏ human behavior ꞏ cognitive control ꞏ brain signals ꞏ neural activity ꞏ decision making ꞏ consciousness ꞏ neuroscience experiments ꞏ brain mapping techniques ꞏ self-awareness ꞏ mind-body problem ꞏ mind-brain relationship