Backward Referral, Flash-Lags, and Quantum Free Will: A Response to Commentaries on Articles by Pockett, Klein, Gomes, and Trevena and Miller

Author: Pockett S.

Source: Consciousness and Cognition, Volume 11, Number 2, June 2002 , pp. 314-325(12)

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Abstract:

The first priority of this response is to address Libet's rebuttal of my reinterpretation of his data. Then, because many authors have commented on various aspects of the debate, the rest of the response is organized in terms of subject matter, not as replies to each individual commentator. First, I reply to an objection expressed by two separate commentators to part of my reinterpretation of those of Libet's data supposedly supporting backward referral. This leads to a brief discussion of the whole concept of backward referral. The relevance of the flash-lag illusion to possible measurement errors in the Libet/Trevena and Miller paradigm is addressed next. Finally, I have a few words to say on the relationship between quantum mechanical ontology and free will. Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science (USA).

Language: English

Document Type: Editorial

Affiliations: Department of Physics, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

Publication date: 2002-06-01