In the 1980s, neuroscientist Benjamin Libet conducted an experiment that questioned the concept of free will. Participants were asked to flex their wrists at will, while Libet monitored their brain activity using EEG. He found that the brain initiated the process 500 milliseconds before participants were consciously aware of their decision, which occurred 150 milliseconds before the action. This suggests that the brain prepares for movements before we are aware of them, sparking debates among psychologists and philosophers about the true nature of free will. Libet, however, believed that the conscious mind still has the power to veto actions at the last moment. The experiment's results have been both replicated and challenged, leading to ongoing discussions about the extent of our control over our decisions and the implications for personal responsibility.
Vocabulary:
Neuroscientist (noun): A scientist who studies the brain and nervous system.
Flex (verb): To bend a part of the body, such as a wrist or arm.
EEG (Electroencephalogram) (noun): A test that detects electrical activity in the brain using electrodes attached to the scalp.
Readiness Potential (noun): The brain activity that occurs before a voluntary movement.
Veto (verb): To reject or prohibit an action or decision.
Replicate (verb): To repeat a study or experiment to confirm its results.
Predetermined (adjectif): Decided in advance.