Practice Passage Test - 9 | Practice Passages for MCAT PDF Download

The existence of free will is a topic of debate. Daniel C. Dennett, a philosopher, has come close to a sensible understanding of free will by describing it as the ability to veto our urges and imagine different futures. Recent scientific advancements have shed light on the relationship between conscious and unconscious thought, supporting Dennett's views. 

Benjamin Libet conducted experiments in the 1970s where he measured the timing of conscious thoughts and the initiation of corresponding actions. Surprisingly, the results showed that subjects unconsciously made decisions before being consciously aware of them. Conscious awareness seemed to be a narrative created by the higher cognitive functions of the brain to explain the actions. This suggests that free will may be more of a subjective feeling than an independent manifestation of will. Libet and Dennett share a similar perspective, with Libet proposing that free will involves the power to filter and sometimes block unconscious decisions. 

The notion of quantum mechanics as an explanation for free will is often brought up by supporters of pseudoscience but lacks evidence and would only result in random, not free, will. Additionally, the concept of "emergent properties" contributes to the confusion between science and philosophy regarding free will. 

Although some scientists reject emergent properties, emergence can be scientifically studied and is commonly observed. Free will may fall under the category of an emergent property that is better understood through neurobiology and psychology rather than quantum mechanics.