The Importance of Brain Activity in Decision Making

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In the future brain scans will be able to predict simple decisions just before people are consciously aware of making them. 80% of people say this technology is possible and they don't think that this possibility rules out free will, says Josh Green. The 20% who say it's not possible don't do it because they very few talk about there being souls or there being free will that this machine could never predict. There's no way neuroscience would be able to give you that kind of information.

Our streak of very special guests continues! Philosopher Eddy Nahmias joins the podcast to us why people mistakenly think they're not morally responsible, and how his new study casts doubt on Sam Harris's "pamphlet" on free will. Eddy also describes his new project (with Toni Adleberg and Morgan Thompson) on why women leave philosophy. Plus Dave and I discuss some reasons for having children, and eat a little Partially Examined Life crow.

Links

"Name five women in philosophy. Bet you can't." Tania Lombrozo, [npr.og]

"Do Women Have Different Philosophical Intuitions than Men?" Eddy Nahmias (philosophyofbrains.com)

"Is Neuroscience the Death of Free Will?' Eddy Nahmias. [nytimes.com]

Eddy on Bypassing [agencyandresponsbility.typepad.com]

Edd trashing Tamler's Book [agencyandresponsbility.typepad.com]

Special Guest: Eddy Nahmias.

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