The Volitional Brain: Towards a Neuroscience of Free Will - Hardcover

3.7

20 ratings by Goodreads

9780907845508: The Volitional Brain: Towards a Neuroscience of Free Will

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0907845509 ISBN 13: 9780907845508

Publisher: Imprint Academic, 1999

It is widely accepted in science that the universe is a closed deterministic system in which everything can, ultimately, be explained by purely physical causation. And yet we all experience ourselves as having the freedom to choose between alternatives presented to us -- 'we' are in the driving seat.

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Review:

A rich collection of interesting speculation and fascinating scientific information about the problem of free will by neuroscientists, psychologists, physicists and philosophers. Stimulating reading from beginning to end. -- Robert Kane

A timely compilation of essays on the brain processes that organize voluntary action. -- Karl Pribram, Contemporary Psychology, April 2001

An excellent and even-handed review of what is at stake, as well as where science itself has got to in this quest -- John G. Taylor

The collection is wide-ranging in its scope . . . and reports some fascinating empirical work on the brain activity that appears to underlie volitional behaviour -- A.C. Grayling, Times Literary Supplement

Synopsis:

Am I responsible for my actions? or is freewill an illusion? Many scientists and philosophers claim that everything, including our own actions, is pre-determined. If that is the case then no-one is responsible for their actions, so punishment could be considered an inappropriate response to crime. This text debates the viewpoints of both "sceptics" and "libertarians" looking at the evidence from science, psychology and philosophy. Contributors include: David Hodgson, Jaron Lanier, Thomas Clark and Wolfgang Schultz.

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