Module 5 Quiz

Which of the following definitions of free will from our textbook (and video lectures) claims that deep openness (e.g. the ability to have chosen otherwise even if everything leading to the decision were the same) is necessary for Free Will (choose all that apply? - Supernatural (Premium-Grade) Free Will - Modest (Regular-Grade) Free Will - Ambitious (Mid-Grade) Free Will

I answered - Ambitious (Mid-Grade) Free Will

In the fMRI neuroscience experiment we discussed (where subjects were asked to push either the left or right button while there brain was being scanned in an fMRI), researchers were able to use the information about the subjects brain activity to predict which button they would push with what percentage of accuracy? - 95% - 60% - 40% - 50%

I answered 60%

Which of the following best explains what the readiness potential is? - Our unconscious brain making decisions for us. - An increase in electrical activity in our brains before seemingly involuntary movement. - An increase in electrical activity in our brain after we perform a movement. - An increase in electrical activity in our brains before seemingly voluntary movement.

I answered An increase in electrical activity in our brains before seemingly voluntary movement.

Physical (or scientific) determinism is defined as the view that human beings do not have free will. - True - False

I answered False

Which definitions of free will from the textbook (and video lectures) claims that being free of excessive manipulation, force, or coercion is necessary for free will (check all that apply) - Modest (Regular-Grade) Free Will - Ambitious (Mid-Grade) Free Will - Supernatural (Premium-Grade) Free Will

I answered Modest (Regular-Grade) Free Will

Consider the following kind of example: I'm held at aunpoint and told to aive the person my phone and wallet. I dont want to give the person my phone or wallet. However, decide to give my phone and wallet because quickly thought about the fact that I value my life more than my money and phone In our class lectures we suggested that the modest (or regular-grade) account of free will can argue that I do not give my phone and wallet of my own free will because... - The person I gave my wallet and phone to was a criminal - I clearly live in a lawless society. - My decision was subject to excessive force or manipulation - In this situtation, I did not have the ability to make a rational and informed decision about what to do.

I answered My decision was subject to excessive force or manipulation.

Consider the following claim: Every time I voluntarily raise my hand, there is always unconscious brain activity X before / do so. If this claim is true, then this would provide some evidence that the unconscious brain activity X is - Necessary - Sufficient - Neither necessary nor sufficient - Necessary and sufficient

I answered Necessary

A Libertarian believes that people have free will and that this means our choices are at least sometimes NOT determined. One worry for such a view is that if our choices are undetermined then it appears as if out choices at - Random - Unlimited - Short-sighted - Unconstrained

I answered Random

Which of the following best captures the conclusion of the neuroscience (Libet) argument against free will? - Human beings probably never consciously decide to do things. - Subject's in the neuroscience experiments (such as Libet's) do not consciously decide to do things. - We (human beings) do not have free will. - Free will requires that our actions are the result of our conscious decisions.

I answered Subject's in the neuroscience experiments (such as Libet's) do not consciously decide to do things.

One obiection to Libet's arqument is that the increase in electrical activity in the brain at the beginning of the readiness potential might represent something other than a decision beina made (for instance. it mav only represent the brain prepanng to make a decision a bit later). Which premise in the neuroscience (libets) argument against free will does this challenge? - Human beings do not have free will. - The readiness potential begins approximatelv 550 milliseconds before bodily movement. - Subjects in Libet's experiment do not consciouslv decide to flex their wrist. - Free will requires that we make conscious decisions to do things.

I answered Subjects in Libet's experiment do not consciouslv decide to flex their wrist.

One obiection to Libet's arqument is that the increase in electrical activity in the brain at the beginning of the readiness potential might represent something other than a decision being made (for instance, it may only represent the brain preparing to make a decision a bit later). Which premise in the neuroscience (libets) argument against free will does this challenge? - Human beings do not have free will - The readiness potential begins approximately 550 milliseconds before bodily movement. - Subjects in Libet's experiment do not consciously decide to flex their wrist. - Free will requires that we make conscious decisions to do things.

I answered Subjects in Libet's experiment do not consciously decide to flex their wrist.

Which of the following best captures a premise of the neuroscience (Libet) argument against free will? - Subjects in the neuroscience experiments (such as Libet's) do not consciously decide to do things. - The situation in which a person is placed (and not the person's character or reasons) completely determines the choices that they will make. - We (human beings) do not have free will. - Human beings do not have an immaterial (i.e. non-physical) soul.

I answered Subjects in the neuroscience experiments (such as Libet's) do not consciously decide to do things.

Which of the following best descibes how the neuroscientis Benjamin Libet believes our decision making processes work? - We are never conscious of any decisions we make (i.e. we are neither conscious of the decisions when we make them or even after we make them). - We are always conscious of our decisions at the time that we make them. - We often become aware or conscious of our decisions after they have already been made unconsciously. - Our souls are responsible for making all of our decisions.

I answered We often become aware or conscious of our decisions after they have already been made unconsciously.

What tool did Libet use to measure the readiness potential began? - The Libet clock. - An EEG - An X-ray - A Stethoscope

I answered an EEG

What tool did Libet use to measure the readiness potential began? - An X-ray - The Libet clock. - An EEG - A Stethoscope

I answered an EEG

The Modest (i.e. Regular-Grade) definition of free will is incompatible with physical determinism. - True - False

I answered false

Alfred Mele (the Author of our free will textbook) agrees with the claim that the neuroscience experiments like Libet's DO NOT give us good reason to reject the existence of free will. - True - False

I answered true

The Modest (i.e. Regular-Grade) definition of free will is incompatible with physical determinism.) - True - False

I answered true

The Supernatural (i.e. Premium-Grade) definition of free will is compatible with physical determinism. - True - False

I answered true

Which of the following matches the timing of the events that Libet measured in the results of his neuroscience experiment? (From the event that occurred earliest to the event that occurred latest).

• FIRST: The readiness potential began to rise SECOND: The subject (according to their report) became conscious of a decision to flex • THIRD: The subiect flexed their wrist