To me this reads as a definition of the term “free will” and then arguing against its existence.
If something can predict your action with better than random accuracy no matter how hard you try to prevent them, you don’t have free will over that action
The word “try” here hides lots of complexity and does some heavy lifting. Can you taboo it and rephrase that? Also, are you rejecting the computational theory of mind?
In the case of the brain-scanner, I’d say “the second before” just reflects the fact that taking an action in the physical world takes >0 time, and once you’ve made the decision to start the action you are no longer free to reverse it
If you take an agent embedded in the environment, I don’t think there is a clear-cut boundary between “not yet made a decision” and “have made the decision”. This abstraction just breaks down.
To me this reads as a definition of the term “free will” and then arguing against its existence.
The word “try” here hides lots of complexity and does some heavy lifting. Can you taboo it and rephrase that? Also, are you rejecting the computational theory of mind?
If you take an agent embedded in the environment, I don’t think there is a clear-cut boundary between “not yet made a decision” and “have made the decision”. This abstraction just breaks down.