Mind-Body L13 M

What is the classic philosophical problem that the lecture focuses on?

How is the universe governed?

What is the main conflict in the problem of free will and determinism?

Which scientific theory challenges the idea of a deterministic universe?

Which ancient Greek philosophy believed in strict determinism?

What did Grey Walter's experiments in the 1960s suggest about the perception of actions?

What is the timing of the readiness potential before the actual movement according to Libet's experiments?

According to Libet's findings, when does the subjective intention or decision to move occur?

What is the conclusion drawn by Libet regarding consciousness and the chain of events leading to movement?

What aspect of free will is argued to be significant by some in the context of Libet's experiment?

Benjamin Libet conducted experiments to explore the timing of voluntary actions and conscious decisions in the brain
Subjects were asked to move their hand whenever they felt like it, while observing a revolving door of light as a timekeeping measure
Findings revealed that the readiness potential, which initiates the chain of events leading to movement, occurs about 535 milliseconds before the actual movement
Subjective intention or decision to move comes about 200 milliseconds before the movement
Libet suggests that consciousness may play a role in interrupting the chain of events before movement occurs, but this is not a definitive conclusion
False starts in sports competitions, such as the Olympic 100-meter dash, have been precisely measured and can disqualify a runner if they react too quickly
Libet's experiment challenges the common understanding of free will, suggesting that deliberation and decision may not always precede voluntary action
Some argue that the kind of free will we care about is the ability to make major choices, not every movement in every context
Dennett and Kinsbourne, James, and Libet are suggested readings for further exploration of the free will debate
Questions to consider: Do you believe in free will? What does the concept mean to you? What would convince you otherwise?

Explore the classic philosophical problem of free will and its implications in contemporary scientific research. Dive into the debate on whether free will is a real freedom or just an illusion, and discover the commonalities between philosophical and scientific approaches.