Libet’s experiments pulled neuroscience into the center of the debate about free will. His results were widely accepted as demonstrating that free will is an illusion, but critics have pointed out some flaws that cast doubt on that interpretation. Here are two of the flaws.
Timing the Conscious Decision: Libet’s participants watched a rapidly moving clock hand to time their decisions. Can participants accurately report the exact time they made a conscious decision using such a method? Perhaps not. Noticing and remembering the clock position requires shifting attention away from monitoring conscious intentions.
Interpreting the Brain Events: Does the readiness potential signify that the brain has actually made a decision to move? Not necessarily. Similar electrical activity occurs when people anticipate moving, even if they don’t move at all.