Do We Have Free Will? Benjamin Libet Analysis

Assessment 1: Article Review – Ru K

Do We Have Free Will? Benjamin Libet

There are several definitions to the question of free will that could be considered. However from a scientific point of view, the argument leans towards whether free will should be a neurological element, or the conception of conscious thinking and decision making; a process that although has a biological aspect, the actual cause of the act is done by choice, and the free will is the decision maker; within the limits and boundaries set by society. In essence, it is the assuring option that free will is something that means one can be the agent that causes one’s own fate and destiny. This allows a sense of control and power to the individual. O’Connor (2013)
Humans can, to a certain extent within the boundaries of what being human allows, and within the boundaries of being a member of society be agents of their causes. If one was to blame Gods will or nature’s laws for all their actions, then where is responsibility, and how can society deal with God if what He wills causes a chaotic society? Scientifically, something more tangible is required than an experiment that times actions against conscious will and conscious action. Roskies (2006) presents several points of thought as to why free will cannot to be a debateable subject in the capacity of neuroscience; 1, neuroscience cannot determine free will. 2, free will encompasses moral responsibility; if choice and action were the results of neural activity, then humans cannot be responsible for their actions. From this stance, Roskies (2006) is justified in saying that that neuroscience cannot challenge human instincts. Neuroscience could challenge the argument that the brain controls all human behaviour, however, the brain also calculates, adjusts, adapts and rethinks, otherwise one would keep reaching for the cookie jar instead of the salad
If one cannot rely on their own judgement to enforce an act according to their sense of right and wrong, or will or won’t, then agency is lost altogether. If the sense that one has a choice to be self-reliant and has a certain ‘will power’ that allows one to choose fate, cause destiny, behaviour and harmony ceases to exist, then human kind is as good as Ape man, chaos would be inevitable. Philosophically, Free Will is thought to be a power of being rationalising agents, with competence of knowing the alternatives and making plausible decisions and bearing in mind that one is morally responsible for each wilful action one takes. In a civilised society, one is taught from early childhood that every action causes a reaction, and where there is a will, there is a way. Libet’s experiment seems to have raised concern and controversy. Libet’s experiment shows that brain activity is the catalyst in causing behaviour, actions and the processes of decision making, this is possible. However, neuroscientific experimentation of ‘free will’ does not seem likely. The title of the paper seems politically incorrect, as the experiment does not concern free will, but the brains control over