Hostname: page-component-745bb68f8f-5r2nc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-02-06T11:45:31.414Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The self is virtual, the will is not illusory

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 March 2005

George Ainslie*
Affiliation:
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Coatesville, PA19320www.picoeconomics.com
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract:

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Wegner makes an excellent case that our sense of ownership of our actions depends on multiple factors, to such an extent that it could be called virtual or even illusory. However, two other core functions of will are initiation of movement and maintenance of resolution, which depend on our accurate monitoring of them. This book shows that will is not an imponderable black box but, rather, an increasingly accessible set of specific functions.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2004

References

Notes

The author of this commentary is employed by a government agency and as such this commentary is considered a work of the U.S. government and not subject to copyright within the United States.