If the Mind is If the Mind is this…this…

……Can we have Free Will?Can we have Free Will?Eddy Nahmias (Philosophy)Eddy Nahmias (Philosophy)

Neurophilosophy MeetingNeurophilosophy Meeting: March 20, 2007: March 20, 2007

Laying my cards on the tableLaying my cards on the table I am a I am a physicalistphysicalist: In some sense of “is” : In some sense of “is”

I believe the mind I believe the mind isis the brain. the brain.

I believe normal adult humans have (at least some) I believe normal adult humans have (at least some) free willfree will and we are and we are morally responsiblemorally responsible for at least for at least some of our actions.some of our actions.

I believe neuroscience and the other sciences of the I believe neuroscience and the other sciences of the mind are highly relevant to the question of mind are highly relevant to the question of whetherwhether we have free will … and we have free will … and how muchhow much free will we free will we have.have.

But, I do But, I do notnot think these sciences are relevant for think these sciences are relevant for the reasons many the reasons many scientistsscientists seem to think. In fact, seem to think. In fact, I think that they tend to get the issues confused…I think that they tend to get the issues confused…

Scientists suggest Scientists suggest Free Will is an IllusionFree Will is an Illusion

Francis Crick (1996): Francis Crick (1996):

““Your sense of personal Your sense of personal identity and free will are identity and free will are in fact no more than the in fact no more than the behavior of a vast behavior of a vast assembly of nerve cellsassembly of nerve cells and their associated and their associated molecules.… You’re molecules.… You’re nothing butnothing but a pack of a pack of neuronsneurons.”.”

Scientists Scientists saysay Free Will is an IllusionFree Will is an Illusion

Daniel Wegner (2002): Daniel Wegner (2002): ““The fact is, it seems to each of The fact is, it seems to each of us that we have conscious will. It us that we have conscious will. It seems we have selves. It seems seems we have selves. It seems we have minds. It seems we are we have minds. It seems we are agents. It seems we cause what agents. It seems we cause what we do…. It is sobering and we do…. It is sobering and ultimately accurate to call all this ultimately accurate to call all this an an illusionillusion.”.”

“ “The brain started first, followed The brain started first, followed by the experience of conscious by the experience of conscious will, and finally followed by will, and finally followed by action.”action.”

Media spins it for all it’s worthMedia spins it for all it’s worth Rosen in Rosen in NYTimes “NYTimes “The Brain on the Stand” (3/11/07): “And The Brain on the Stand” (3/11/07): “And

since all behavior is caused by our brains, wouldn’t this since all behavior is caused by our brains, wouldn’t this mean mean all behavior could potentially beall behavior could potentially be excusedexcused.”.”

The EconomistThe Economist (5/23/02): “Potential dystopias always make (5/23/02): “Potential dystopias always make good press…. Genetics may yet threatengood press…. Genetics may yet threaten privacy,privacy, kill kill autonomyautonomy, make society, make society homogenoushomogenous andand gut the concept of gut the concept of humanhuman nature. But nature. But neuroscienceneuroscience could do all of these things could do all of these things first.”first.”

Tom Wolfe in Tom Wolfe in Forbes MagazineForbes Magazine (12/2/96): “the (12/2/96): “the bottom line of neuroscience … is that, let’s not kid ourselves, bottom line of neuroscience … is that, let’s not kid ourselves, we’re we’re all concatenations of molecules containing DNAall concatenations of molecules containing DNA, hard , hard wired into a chemical analogue computer known as the wired into a chemical analogue computer known as the human brain, which as software has a certain genetic code. human brain, which as software has a certain genetic code. And your idea that you have a soul or even a self, much less And your idea that you have a soul or even a self, much less free will, is just an illusionfree will, is just an illusion.” .”

The ProblemThe Problem

Both (some) Both (some) scientistsscientists and and science science popularizerspopularizers rely on implicit rely on implicit arguments that arguments that misconstruemisconstrue the the relation between relation between neurobiological neurobiological discoverydiscovery and and free willfree will..

Argument 1: Conflating Argument 1: Conflating Determinism and Reductionism Determinism and Reductionism

1)1) Determinism means we have no free will. Determinism means we have no free will.

2)2) Science is showing determinism is true.Science is showing determinism is true.

Therefore,Therefore,

3) Science is showing we have no free will.3) Science is showing we have no free will.

Many philosophers (like me) deny this claim (and many folk agree!)

No, physics suggests indeterminism is true.

Determinism and the Determinism and the “Horizontal Threat” to Free Will“Horizontal Threat” to Free Will

Past events over which you have no control

Long causal history,

governed by laws of nature

Events you seem to control that cause your decision

Your decision

DeterminismDeterminism = Every event is completely caused by = Every event is completely caused by prior events, such that given that set of prior causes prior events, such that given that set of prior causes (and the laws of nature), the event will definitely occur. (and the laws of nature), the event will definitely occur.

Important distinctionImportant distinction: determinism≠ reductionism.: determinism≠ reductionism.

NeuroCase

PsychCase

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20.00

40.00

60.00

80.00

% a

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e

27.78

53.03

38.89

71.21

Percentage of participant Percentage of participant responses indicating responses indicating agreementagreement (somewhat (somewhat agree, agree, or strongly agree, agree, or strongly agree) to the questions: agree) to the questions:

““Ertans are able to make Ertans are able to make decisions of their own decisions of their own free willfree will” (blue bars);” (blue bars);

““Ertans should be held Ertans should be held morally responsiblemorally responsible for for their decisions” their decisions” (green bars).(green bars).

free willresponsibility

Folk Intuitions about Determinism, Folk Intuitions about Determinism, Reductionism, Free Will, Moral ResponsibilityReductionism, Free Will, Moral Responsibility

NeuroCase

PsychCase

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2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

6.00

Me

an

2.78

3.703.37

4.27

free willresponsibility

A significant difference A significant difference was found when was found when comparing mean comparing mean responses between the responses between the Psych and Neuro cases: Psych and Neuro cases:

Free WillFree Will: t(100)=3.29, : t(100)=3.29, p=.001p=.001

Moral ResponsibilityMoral Responsibility: : t(100)=3.33, p=.001t(100)=3.33, p=.001

** Graphs and Stats by ** Graphs and Stats by Trevor Kvaran (B&B Fellow, Trevor Kvaran (B&B Fellow, Philosophy)Philosophy)

Folk Intuitions about Determinism, Folk Intuitions about Determinism, Reductionism, Free Will, Moral ResponsibilityReductionism, Free Will, Moral Responsibility

Determinism is less scary than Determinism is less scary than ReductionismReductionism

Non-reductionistic Non-reductionistic description in terms description in terms of psychological of psychological states (desires, states (desires, beliefs, plans)beliefs, plans)

ReductionisticReductionistic description in terms description in terms of neural processes of neural processes and chemical states and chemical states

DeterministicDeterministic descriptiondescription

RESULTSRESULTS

IndeterministicIndeterministic descriptiondescription

PREDICTIONPREDICTION

Argument 2: Conflating Free Will Argument 2: Conflating Free Will with Cartesian Dualismwith Cartesian Dualism

1)1) Free will requires that we have Free will requires that we have non-non-physical (Cartesian) mindsphysical (Cartesian) minds that operate that operate free from the bounds of physical laws.free from the bounds of physical laws.

2)2) Science is proving that our behavior is Science is proving that our behavior is governed by physical laws.governed by physical laws.

Therefore,Therefore,3) Science is proving that we do not have 3) Science is proving that we do not have

free will.free will.

Why believe this?

True that! But this is not new news.

The “Vertical Threat” Take 1The “Vertical Threat” Take 1 Our decisions and actions are Our decisions and actions are entirely caused by entirely caused by

physical eventsphysical events (most proximately, neurobiological (most proximately, neurobiological events), leaving events), leaving no role for the soulno role for the soul (or the (or the conscious will). conscious will).

NoticeNotice: This physicalist thesis is distinct from the : This physicalist thesis is distinct from the “horizontal threat” of determinism.“horizontal threat” of determinism.

Brain Processes Producing Behavior Behavior

Emergent non-physical states of conscious mind

Illusory cause

Physical Causes

If minds = brains, how can mental If minds = brains, how can mental states states causecause anything? anything?

Last 50 years of Last 50 years of philosophy of mindphilosophy of mind has offered various has offered various theories to explain the theories to explain the metaphysical relationshipmetaphysical relationship between between mindmind andand brainbrain::

• Mind equal to brain (identity theory)Mind equal to brain (identity theory)• Mind supervening on brain (supervenience theory)Mind supervening on brain (supervenience theory)• Mind realized by brain (functionalism)Mind realized by brain (functionalism)• Mind emerging from brain (emergentism)Mind emerging from brain (emergentism)

Bottom lineBottom line: The fact that high-level properties are identical : The fact that high-level properties are identical to/supervene upon/realized by ... low-level properties need to/supervene upon/realized by ... low-level properties need not “drain away” the existence of—or the causal powers ofnot “drain away” the existence of—or the causal powers of—the high-level properties.—the high-level properties.

An (overly simple) analogyAn (overly simple) analogy This table is composed of This table is composed of

(realized by) quarks (or (realized by) quarks (or whatever). whatever).

The way the quarks are The way the quarks are arranged explain the arranged explain the shape and solidity of the shape and solidity of the table.table.

The shape and solidity of The shape and solidity of the table (partially) explain the table (partially) explain why I am not falling.why I am not falling.

So, do the “high-level” So, do the “high-level” properties of shape and properties of shape and solidity solidity causecause me not to me not to fall (or is it just the quarks fall (or is it just the quarks that cause it)?that cause it)?

My mind is composed of My mind is composed of (realized by) neural processes (realized by) neural processes (or whatever).(or whatever).

The neural processes explain The neural processes explain the (conscious) mental states I the (conscious) mental states I am in.am in.

The (conscious) mental states I The (conscious) mental states I am in (partially) explain why I am in (partially) explain why I do what I do.do what I do.

So, do my mental states So, do my mental states causecause me to do what I do (or is it just me to do what I do (or is it just the neural processes that cause the neural processes that cause behavior)? behavior)?

If you answer “neural states,” If you answer “neural states,” watch out for the quarks!watch out for the quarks!

Argument 3: The Real Threat Argument 3: The Real Threat

1)1) Free will requires that our actions are Free will requires that our actions are governed by our conscious deliberations and governed by our conscious deliberations and plans in accord with reasons we have plans in accord with reasons we have accepted or would accept.accepted or would accept.

2)2) Science is showing that our actions are not Science is showing that our actions are not governed by this sort of rational self-control.governed by this sort of rational self-control.

Therefore,Therefore,3) Science is showing we do not have free will.3) Science is showing we do not have free will.

Indeed! Notice this view is consistent with determinism.

Perhaps. To the extent it is, that is threat to free will.

The Vertical Threat Take 2The Vertical Threat Take 2

““Modular EpiphenomenalismModular Epiphenomenalism”: The brain ”: The brain processes involved in conscious and rational self-processes involved in conscious and rational self-control are control are notnot involved in most of our decisions involved in most of our decisions and actionsand actions—rather they just create post-hoc —rather they just create post-hoc rationalizations for what we do …rationalizations for what we do …

Brain Processes Producing Behavior Behavior

Brain Processes involved in Conscious Deliberation/Intentions

Illusory cause

Physical Causes

The Unimportance of The Unimportance of Consciousness?Consciousness?

David Brooks David Brooks (NYTimes(NYTimes 9/17/06): “Consciousness has come 9/17/06): “Consciousness has come to be seen as this relatively weak driver, riding atop an to be seen as this relatively weak driver, riding atop an organ, the brain, it scarcely understands.”organ, the brain, it scarcely understands.”

Stephen Morse (in “The Brain on the Stand”): “Suppose Stephen Morse (in “The Brain on the Stand”): “Suppose neuroscience could reveal that reason actually plays no role neuroscience could reveal that reason actually plays no role in determining human behavior … that your intentions and in determining human behavior … that your intentions and your reasons are post hoc rationalizations that your brain your reasons are post hoc rationalizations that your brain generates to explain to you what your brain has already generates to explain to you what your brain has already done” without your conscious participation…. [then] done” without your conscious participation…. [then] criminal law would have to abandon its current ideas about criminal law would have to abandon its current ideas about responsibility.responsibility.

Roger Schank (Roger Schank (www.edge.orgwww.edge.org, 1/5/05): “When people try to , 1/5/05): “When people try to rationally analyze potential options, their unconscious, rationally analyze potential options, their unconscious, emotional thoughts take over and emotional thoughts take over and make the choice for make the choice for themthem…. …. Decisions are made for us by our unconsciousDecisions are made for us by our unconscious, the , the conscious [mind] is in charge of making up reasons for conscious [mind] is in charge of making up reasons for those decisions which sound rational.”those decisions which sound rational.”

A Possible Reconciliation?A Possible Reconciliation? As long as the relevant conscious mental states As long as the relevant conscious mental states

are are explainedexplained rather than rather than explainedexplained away away by by neuroscience (and other sciences of the mind), neuroscience (and other sciences of the mind), then free will (the self, morality, etc.) should then free will (the self, morality, etc.) should notnot been seen as an illusion. BUT…been seen as an illusion. BUT…

The sciences of the mind are discovering and will The sciences of the mind are discovering and will inevitably discover certain inevitably discover certain limitations to the limitations to the capacities relevant to free willcapacities relevant to free will (e.g., the degree to (e.g., the degree to which our conscious deliberations influence our which our conscious deliberations influence our decisions, to which we act on reasons we have decisions, to which we act on reasons we have accepted or would accept, etc.)…accepted or would accept, etc.)…

SSo, if mind =o, if mind = …can we have Free Will? …can we have Free Will?

YesYes, I think, but it depends on…, I think, but it depends on…

1.1. How How peoplepeople understand themselves, free will, understand themselves, free will, responsibility, morality, etc.responsibility, morality, etc.

2.2. What What philosophyphilosophy has to say about the mind- has to say about the mind-body relationship, causation, free will, body relationship, causation, free will, responsibility, morality, etc.responsibility, morality, etc.

3.3. What the What the sciences of the mindsciences of the mind have to say have to say about the way the brain (and our psychology) about the way the brain (and our psychology) works.works.

Libet on the Illusion of Conscious WillLibet on the Illusion of Conscious Will

Subjects asked to flex wrist whenever the feel like it Subjects asked to flex wrist whenever the feel like it and to notice the time they are conscious of “urge or and to notice the time they are conscious of “urge or intention” to flex (W)intention” to flex (W)

Readiness Potential (RP) regularly precedes conscious Readiness Potential (RP) regularly precedes conscious awareness (W) by about 400msawareness (W) by about 400ms

-550 ms-550 ms -150 ms-150 ms 0 ms 0 msRP onsetRP onset time W time W muscle muscle

movesmoves

““The brain ‘decides’ to initiate action …before there is The brain ‘decides’ to initiate action …before there is any reportable subjective awareness that such a any reportable subjective awareness that such a decision has taken place.”decision has taken place.”

Problems with LibetProblems with Libet

Desires (urges) vs. Intentions (or decisions)Desires (urges) vs. Intentions (or decisions)

-550 ms-550 ms -150 ms-150 ms 0 ms 0 msRP onsetRP onset time W time W muscle moves muscle moves

(urge formed)(urge formed) (intention formed) (action)(intention formed) (action)

Proximate vs. Distal Intentions (planning)Proximate vs. Distal Intentions (planning)

Libet’s task asks subjects to form Libet’s task asks subjects to form distaldistal intentions to intentions to flex in response to spontaneously, unconsciously flex in response to spontaneously, unconsciously formed urges to flexformed urges to flex

Directions: You’re going to read a story about another world called Erta that is very similar to our world. As you are reading it and answering the questions about it, think of it just as you would any other story you read. Even if you don’t think that what it says is true in our world, imagine that it is true in Erta.

On Erta, the landscape and life are very similar to Earth, and there are advanced life forms called Ertans who look, talk, and behave very much like we do. For instance, the Ertans have families, schools, various jobs, parties, arguments, etc. However, the Ertans’ science has advanced far beyond ours. Specifically, Ertan neuroscientists have discovered exactly how Ertans’ brains work. For instance, they have discovered that whenever an Ertan is trying to decide what to do, the decision the Ertan ends up making is completely caused by the specific chemical reactions and neural processes occurring in his or her brain. The neuroscientists have also discovered that these chemical reactions and neural processes are completely caused by the Ertan’s current situation and the earlier events in his or her life. These earlier events were also completely caused by even earlier events, eventually going all the way back to events that occurred before the Ertan was born.

So, once specific earlier events have occurred in an Ertan’s life, these events will definitely cause specific later events to occur. For instance, once specific chemical reactions and neural processes occur in the Ertan’s brain, they will definitely cause the Ertan to make the specific decision he or she makes.

Neuro Case

Directions: You’re going to read a story about another world called Erta that is very similar to our world. As you are reading it and answering the questions about it, think of it just as you would any other story you read. Even if you don’t think that what it says is true in our world, imagine that it is true in Erta.

On Erta, the landscape and life are very similar to Earth, and there are advanced life forms called Ertans who look, talk, and behave very much like we do. For instance, the Ertans have families, schools, various jobs, parties, arguments, etc. However, the Ertans’ science has advanced far beyond ours. Specifically, Ertan psychologists have discovered exactly how Ertans’ minds work. For instance, they have discovered that whenever an Ertan is trying to decide what to do, the decision the Ertan ends up making is completely caused by the specific thoughts, desires, and plans occurring in his or her mind. The psychologists have also discovered that these thoughts, desires, and plans are completely caused by the Ertan’s current situation and the earlier events in his or her life. These earlier events were also completely caused by even earlier events, eventually going all the way back to events that occurred before the Ertan was born.

So, once specific earlier events have occurred in an Ertan’s life, these events will definitely cause specific later events to occur. For instance, once specific thoughts, desires, and plans occur in the Ertan’s mind, they will definitely cause the Ertan to make the specific decision he or she makes.

Psych Case (differences underlined)

1) According to the story, is this statement true or false?The specific thoughts, desires, and plans occurring in an Ertan’s mind at a particular time are completely caused by the Ertan’s current situation and earlier events in the Ertan’s life, and these events were completely caused by even earlier events, eventually going back to events that occurred before the Ertan was born.Based on the story you’ve just read, please write “True” or “False” next to the following statements to indicate whether you agree or disagree with them:2) Ertans’ decisions are up to them. 3) Ertans deliberate about what to do.4) Ertans are able to make decisions of their own free will. 5) Ertans should be held morally responsible for their decisions. 6) If an Ertan does something bad, then he or she deserves to be blamed for it.7) If an Ertan does something good, then he or she deserves to be praised for it.8) Ertans are able to lead meaningful lives.9) Suppose an Ertan named Yon is trying to decide which restaurant to go to for dinner.According to the story, is this statement true or false:Once specific thoughts, desires, and plans occur in Yon’s mind at a particular time, then there is only one decision Yon can make about which restaurant to go to for dinner.

Questions for Participants