Neuroscience, Psychology Eroding Idea of Free Will

pragueexpat writes "Do we have free will? Possibly not, according to an article in the new issue of the Economist. Entitled 'Free to choose?', the piece examines new discoveries in the fields of neuroscience and psychology that may be forcing us to re-examine the concept of free will. The specifically cite a man with paedophilic tendencies who was cured when his brain tumor was removed. 'Who then was the child abuser?', they ask. The predictable conclusion of this train of thought, of course, leads us to efforts by Britain: 'At the moment, the criminal law--in the West, at least--is based on the idea that the criminal exercised a choice: no choice, no criminal. The British government, though, is seeking to change the law in order to lock up people with personality disorders that are thought to make them likely to commit crimes, before any crime is committed.'"

Comments

Yes, it's tragic the way you're criticised

[Anonymous Coward]

You don't have the right to make any statement criticising any country besides the United States, without first saying something bad about the United States at some level.

You poor pathetic persecuted people - my GOD, how you've suffered! The world feels your pain! And yet, in the last few years you've done nothing but spread peace, freedom, goodwill and flowers throughout the world. Life's just not fair, is it?

Re:You don't understand

[Saint V Flux]

Oh, I understand Marxism quite well, however I will never ignore reason and justice for the sake of being "cool" or "multicultural". I never said I "studied" it either, jackass. I said I read the site (meaning read articles and skim comments) a few times a day.

Re:Free will is an illusion.

[l33t gambler]

I have no free will. The law dictates what I am allowed to do with my personal time that does not affect anyone else. We live in a police state whose only interest is exploiting the people.

You confuse state with religion. But then again, the majority of Americans belive in the virgin birth of Jesus and George Bush had a baptist (sp) for an advisor God Bless America.