Neuroscience and Freewill

Do we have freewill ? What is the understanding of Neuroscience in this regards ? There is a good experiment by Benjamin Libet.

Benjamin Libet carried out experiments to try to understand the nature of intentionality and motor action. What he did was to monitor the subject's brain in that region responsible for initiating action. The subject watches a clock on a computer screen. He is asked to press either button A or button B whenever he is ready and to note the time on the clock when he makes the conscious decision. The computer subsequently records the time verbally claimed for the decision and compares it with the time automatically recorded when the brain triggered the movement in the hand to press the button. The interesting thing is that the claimed decision to press a button always takes place after the brain starts to move the hand. Irrespective of whether or not this proves anything, our experience is effectively what we mean by the term free will.

If what Libet concluded is true, however, what it means is that this 'feeling' of having free will is only a 'side effect' arising in the brain after some action has been initiated in automatic response to a combination of stimuli.

Karma and Quantum Physics !

Law of Karma states that we are stuck in a chain. Of action and reaction. Of cause and effect.

Practically like machines. If cause is known, effect can be predicted. What we are till this moment is due to the cause and effect of what we did till this moment. This way we can trace the past to almost beginning of universe.

Are we machines ? Are we operating mechanically ? Where is the free will coming ?

An interesting parallel can be found in Physics. Newtonian laws apply at gross level beautifully.

Whether it is the earth or sun, moon behave according to a specified law. Like machines they perform their roles.

But at micro level, the order breaks down. At sub atomic level, there is only probability and no predictability. The outcome changes depending the observer. This probably is the clue to various miracles attributed to enlightened beings. They are able to witness events at the quantum level and change the outcome.

Any quantum level change will finally affect the gross universe. But by that time a small correction done at quantum level has effected a break in the chain of Karma. Individual has effected his free will. And this free will starts moving him into new cause and effect chain.

Conclusion : Free will operates at the quantum level, Karma operates at the gross level !