The Volitional Brain

It is widely accepted in science that the universe is a closed deterministic system in which everything can, ultimately, be explained by purely physical causation. And yet we all experience ourselves as having the freedom to choose between alternatives presented to us we are in the driving seat. The puzzling status of volition is explored in this issue by a distinguished body of scientists and philosophers."

Benjamin Libet, Professor of Physiology at University of California, San Francisco, is best known for his discovery of the half-second delay before the onset of conscious experience and its implications for our understanding of the problem of voluntary action. Anthony Freeman is managing editor of the Journal of Consciousness Studies and a priest in the Church of England Keith Sutherland is executive editor of the Journal of Consciousness Studies