The Interpretation of Libet's Results on the Timing of Conscious Events: A Commentary

Author: Gomes G.

Source: Consciousness and Cognition, Volume 11, Number 2, June 2002 , pp. 221-230(10)

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Abstract:

A commentary on articles by Klein, Pockett, and Trevena and Miller, in this issue, is given. Average shift in the point of subjective equality (PSE), calculated by Klein on Libet's data, and corresponding change in mean shift, calculated by Libet et al. (1983), may be “corrected,” taking as a reference point the end of the minimum train duration. Values obtained, if significant, indicate a latency for conscious sensation of the skin stimulus of at least 230 ms. Pockett's main conclusions are favored, but her explanation of peripheral–lemniscal couplings is found to be unconvincing. Trevena and Miller's article unsuccessfully tries to rescue a dualist interactionist view. Libet's method of timing intentions is thoroughly criticized. Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science (USA).

Keywords: Key Words: conscious experience; consciousness; conscious will; voluntary action; cerebral timing; event-related chronometry; readiness potential; latency

Language: English

Document Type: Editorial

Affiliations: Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Publication date: 2002-06-01