J. R. Molloy states:
>
>>Didn't Crick just get done explaining that we are aware
>>of the decisions to act but not aware of the computations
>>which lead to the decisions to act? And consequently
>>we confabulate to make meaning out of it all and reassure
>>ourselves of our self-determination? There is only process
>>and outcome. We observe the outcome and convince
>>ourselves it is the product of our will.
>
>We can't do this unless we want to do it. Our wanting to do it (or anything
>else, for that matter) requires that the region called the "anterior
>cingulate sulcus," next to Brodmann's area 24, functions well.
>
>To prove this, Crick relates the story of what happens to someone whose
>anterior cingulate sulcus (the seat of Free Will) has become inoperable due
>to damage to that area of the brain.
>
>>Why then would he suddenly start talking about where in the
>>brain Free Will is located? Doesn't he mean "where the
>>computations are?"
>
>The computations constitute Free Will.
>>Anyway, it's long been disconcerting to me that so much
>>of my behavior is not actually under my control. This is one
>>of the reasons I'm a transhumanist. Transhumanism to me
>>is all about attaining Free Will and potentiating our intelligence.
>>It may be the most important human limitation to overcome.
>
>Many people find this information disconcerting, as Crick points out in
_The
>Astonishing Hypothesis_.
>Many people found the discovery of DNA disconcerting.
>Many people found the theory of heliocentricity disconcerting (especially
>the Pope).
>Many people may find an autonomous synthetic intelligence disconcerting.
>
>Perhaps further research and experimentation along the lines suggested by
>Crick (he describes several experimental approaches in his book), will
>discover the area of the brain which relates to feelings of
>disconcertedness.
>
>--J. R.
>