One of the assumptions in the Libet experiment is that free will (however it is defined) requires consciousness. The fact that we may not be immediately aware of our decision does not mean it is not free. It just means that it takes some time for thoughts to occur—for our “conscious” mind (however that is defined) to arrange itself into focus. It takes time for ALL mental processes to occur. I’m not saying this has any bearing on the existence of libertarian free will. I happen to think libertarian free will is an illusion, a beautiful and useful illusion—and the illusion ITSELF is real. (See my book Free Will Explained.) But even if I am wrong, the Libet experiment (for all its strengths and numerous weaknesses) does not prove determinism or disprove libertarian free will. It just demonstrates something fascinating about how the brain works.
GainAccomplished9250 t1_jbt1rfp wrote
Reply to No empirical experiment can prove or disprove the existence of free will without accounting for the inadvertent biases surrounding both the experiment and the concept of free will. by IAI_Admin
One of the assumptions in the Libet experiment is that free will (however it is defined) requires consciousness. The fact that we may not be immediately aware of our decision does not mean it is not free. It just means that it takes some time for thoughts to occur—for our “conscious” mind (however that is defined) to arrange itself into focus. It takes time for ALL mental processes to occur. I’m not saying this has any bearing on the existence of libertarian free will. I happen to think libertarian free will is an illusion, a beautiful and useful illusion—and the illusion ITSELF is real. (See my book Free Will Explained.) But even if I am wrong, the Libet experiment (for all its strengths and numerous weaknesses) does not prove determinism or disprove libertarian free will. It just demonstrates something fascinating about how the brain works.