Do We Have Freedom of Choice?

"Brain Scanners Can See Your Decisions Before You Make Them"!

This was the intriguing article in Nature Neuroscience, which was reported in Wired.com and Rowan's Blog.

If a brain scanner can predict your choices before you consciously make choices, do we have freedom of choice?  If choices are made in the subconscious mind, are we deluding ourselves by thinking that we are consciously making choices?

This was the intriguing first line.

"You may think you decided to read this story-- but in fact, your brain made the decision long before you know about it.

In a study published Sunday in Nature Neuroscience, researchers using brain scanners could predict people's reactions seven seconds before the test subjects were even aware of making them."

The researchers pointed out that the decision to study raised profound questions regarding

"the nature of self and autonomy: how free is our will?  It is a conscious choice just an illusion?"

"Your decisions are strongly prepared by brain activity.  By the time consciousness kicks, most of the work has already been done."

This quotation was made by John-Dylan Haynes, a Max Planck Institute neuroscientist.

Researcher Haynes also said

"we can't rule out that there is a free will..., but I don't think it's plausible."

I also refer you to Jeffrey Schwartz and Stephanie West Allen' website, Brains on Purpose.  Dr. Schwartz believes in the power of "mental force" or the conscious mind in determining brain activity and also the quality of our lives.  This website for give you further information regarding the power of our conscious minds and free will.

What do you think?  Do you think the conscious mind only becomes aware of subconscious decisions or do you think the conscious mind makes decisions?

Remember, We Live within the Environment Created by Our Choices!

Dr. Hal

Life and Mental Fitness Coach

Comments

[Steve Siebold]

Dr. Hal,

I think Haynes's findings will prove true as far as the level of influence of the subconscious. As you know, there's been speculation about this for many years. But to suggest that free will doesn't exist is going too far. An alcoholic may be predisposed to drink and the serial killer predisposed to kill, but the subconscious mind doesn't pour the drink or pull the trigger. No matter how much power the subconscious has, the conscious mind can always intervene. I've worked with many researchers over the years, and it sometimes comes down to spending too much time in theory and not enough on in the real world. As nice as it would be to lump the conscious/subconscious connection into a simple black and white scenario, you and I both know (and so does Haynes)that it's far too complex for that. I'm not a doctor or a brain researcher, I'm just a mental toughness coach for Fortune 500 sales teams. But I have studied this subject for the last 24 years with many doctors and researchers and come to the conclusion that we still don't understand very much about the subconscious mind. As you know, people make all kinds of crazy claims about what it is and what it can do, but very little of this can be scientifically verified. This was a great post, Dr. Hal. I appreciate you allowing me to be a part of the discussion. You're always welcome to share your wisdom with our mental toughness community at www.mentaltoughnessblog.com
Thanks again!
Steve Siebold, CSP, CPCS

[Dr. Hal]

Steve,

As you have pointed out in your comment, I very strongly believe in free will and the power of choice making. One of my books is I Live within the Environment Created by My Choices! Although I believe so strongly in choice making, I thought these research by Haynes was worth blogging about, even though we had a different point of view about free choice.

Thank you for your comments in regard to some of my postings. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading about you and your work. It has been very encouraging to read about what you have done regarding mental toughness. Although we have learned about mental toughness and fitness in different arenas, it is nice to know that we have similar values, concepts and visions.

I believe we can learn about mental fitness and toughness in many different ways and from many different champions. I have learned about mental fitness from my clients struggling with everyday problems and, at times, problems that appear to be overwhelming. I have learned a lot from the unnamed champions, overcoming mental illness and problems in living.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your experiences with a completely different population and marvel at the similarities in our thinking about what makes champions.