The Volitional Brain [Hardcover]

Benjamin Libet (Editor), Anthony Freeman (Editor), Keith Sutherland (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0907845509 | ISBN-13: 978-0907845508 | Publication Date: September 14, 1999 | Edition: First Edition

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A rich collection of interesting speculation and fascinating scientific information about the problem of free will by neuroscientists, psychologists, physicists and philosophers. Among the topics provocatively discussed are Libet's groundbreaking experiments and other recent research on the neurophysiology of volition; quantum physics, indeterminism and consciousness; mind/brain interaction and mental causation; the neuroscience of obsessive-compulsive disorders and other abnormalities of will and action, and much more. Stimulating reading from beginning to end." Robert Kane, Professor of Philosophy, The University of Texas at Austin and author, The Significance of Free Will (OUP: 1996)

"Free will, along with the nature of consciousness itself, is still very controversial. A host of approaches are being pursued to attempt to understand it. Any new book, gathering the most recent ideas of thinkers in the area, is welcome; this book is especially so for the clarity of its articles. It gives 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, Director (Emeritus), Centre for Neural Networks, King's College London and author, The Race for Consciousness -- MIT Press: 1999

A rich collection of interesting speculation and fascinating scientific information about the problem of free will by neuroscientists, psychologists, physicists and philosophers. Among the topics provocatively discussed are Libet's groundbreaking experiments and other recent research on the neurophysiology of volition; quantum physics, indeterminism and consciousness; mind/brain interaction and mental causation; the neuroscience of obsessive-compulsive disorders and other abnormalities of will and action, and much more. Stimulating reading from beginning to end. -- Robert Kane, Professor of Philosophy, The University of Texas at Austin and author, The Significance of Free Will

An affordable book that performs well exploring modern answers to the ancient and thorny problem of free will. -- J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry, 2001

Free will, along with the nature of consciousness itself, is still very controversial. A host of approaches are being pursued to attempt to understand it. Any new book, gathering the most recent ideas of thinkers in the area, is welcome; this book is especially so for the clarity of its articles. It gives 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, Director (Emeritus), Centre for Neural Networks, King's College London and author, The Race for Consciousness) -- John G. Taylor, Director (Emeritus), Centre for

The collection reports some fascinating empirical work on the brain activity that appears to underlie volitional behaviour. -- A.C. Grayling, Times Literary Supplement

About the Author

Benjamin Libet is Professor Emeritus of Physiology at the University of California, San Francisco, and a member of the Center for Neuroscience at the University of California, Davis.

Freeman read chemistry and then theology at Oxford University and was ordained in 1972. "When God In Us" was first published in 1993 he was dismissed from his parish for contravening church teaching, but he remains a priest in the Church of England.

Sutherland is a Microsoft Certified Professional, IT consultant, trainer and technical author.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 298 pages
• Publisher: Imprint Academic; First Edition edition (September 14, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0907845509
• ISBN-13: 978-0907845508
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 7.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,953,882 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)