Free will is one of the fundamental aspects of human cognition. In the context of cognitive neuroscience, various experiments on time perception, sensorimotor coordination, and agency suggest the possibility that it is a robust illusion (a feeling independent of actual causal relationship with actions) constructed by neural mechanisms. Humans are known to suffer from various cognitive biases an...

The article focuses on the issue of brain determinism, by examining two recent neuroscientific experiments (Libet’s and Haynes’ experiments about conscious acts). Such experiments aim to show a cerebral determination of the agent’s free choices. The author argues that even if their conclusions were true, that would not eliminate the common use of the concept of free will and the attribution of ...