From: Platt Holden (pholden@sc.rr.com)
Date: Thu May 15 2003 - 21:13:36 BST
Hi Sam,
> Platt said
> : >This is your determinism bit that I completely reject simply by
> : >performing the simple experiment of wiggling my finger to the left or
> the : >right as I wish, anytime I wish.
>
> Have either of you come across the recent experiments on brain activity
> relating to 'wiggling fingers' (I'll try and dig out a web reference)?
> Apparently the 'decision' to move the finger, ie the awareness in the
> individual and their choice, is subsequent to the nerve impulse which moves
> the finger, by a measurably significant period of time (ie a fraction of a
> second). On the face of it, this is 'knock down' evidence that
> consciousness is an epiphenomenon. I don't agree with that - for reasons
> not to be gone into here - but when I read Platt's words I just thought
> that this may be a particularly bad example to choose!
You refer to the experiments of Benjamin Libet. The relevance of his
experiments to the free will is hotly debated, as a cursory glance at
references to Libet using Google demonstrates. Libet himself decided
the results did not impinge on individual's free will. But, as you point out,
not the best example to choose. Perhaps after I think about it I'll choose
another. Or, perhaps I'll choose not to choose, unless, of course, I have
no choice in the matter, in which case I will simply have to patiently wait
to see what fate decides for me and be joyful that, regardless of the
outcome, I'm not responsible in any case. :-)
Platt
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