You will be shown a timer, counting down from 60s to 0s. At a time of your choosing, tap on the desk with your pen. Record the time at which you decided to tap on the desk psychlotron.org.uk

Libet’s (1985) study of voluntary action 350ms Onset of readiness potential Action carried out PP reports intention to act electrical brain activity psychlotron.org.uk

What does Libet’s finding imply about the role of conscious choice in behaviour? psychlotron.org.uk

The determinist stance Conscious ‘choice’ does not determine behaviour Epiphenomenalism Mental states are a by-product of brain states that have no causal properties NB: see the ‘mind-body problem’ psychlotron.org.uk

The determinist stance Libet’s compromise: The brain generates many possible ways of behaving Free will is the ‘chooser’ psychlotron.org.uk

The homunculus problem This is called an infinite regress. It is bad. Libet’s position requires a ‘chooser’ to decide how we act psychlotron.org.uk

Can free will exist in a universe governed by physical laws? Is it possible to preserve ‘freedom of choice’ without falling into dualism? Can we do psychology without being determinists? psychlotron.org.uk

Reading Gross (1996) pp Pennington (2003) pp psychlotron.org.uk