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From: John HERBERT <herbert@cf.ac.uk>
Subject: Re: A New Theory of Free Will -- continuation of an Open Letter to Professor Penrose
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Date: Tue, 20 Feb 1996 12:46:20 GMT
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I am a newcomer to the Internet. 
Two points on determinism. I hope these are not FAQ
a) I am sometimes faced with choices before I act. What evaluates the 
choice in my brain/mind?
It doesn't matter whether I call it a drive which evaluates or not. If it 
is called a drive, what brings into play the drive and ad infinitum?
b) A potential electric current sparks in my neurons. This potential 
travels down to the dendrites at the end of which are sacs containing a 
complicated assembly of biochemicals. Quantum fields around the atoms of 
these biochemicals are absolutely indeterminate and this indeterminacy 
results in the transmitting of the biochemicals across the synaptic gaps 
between the neurons. Without this indeterminacy, no mental activity can 
occur.
 This phenomenon in b) allied to the exercise of choice in a) baffles me. 
I cannot understand that this is mechanistic. 
In addition of course, the exercising of a mental  choice whether to move 
this muscle or that muscle before it is exercised  and before there is 
any movement (and the spiking of the neurons which  takes place 
approximately .25 seconds before any movement) seems to me to indicate an 
agency which is not a mechanistic drive.
Please explain. John.




