Libertarian free will and quantum indeterminism

TL;DR

This paper proposes a new model of free will as a causal primitive that can override physical causality, suggesting potential deviations from quantum mechanics in the brain, with implications for neuroscience and physics.

Contribution

It introduces a novel model of free will as a causal primitive and links it to quantum indeterminism, proposing testable deviations from standard quantum theory.

Findings

Deviations from the Born rule could indicate free will effects.

The brain may exhibit non-standard physics due to free will.

Potential neurobiological tests for free will effects are discussed.

Abstract

The basic question in the long-standing debate about free will (FW) is not whether FW can be demonstrated to exist nor even whether it exists, but instead how to define it scientifically. If FW is not dismissed as an illusion nor identified with a variety of unpredictability, then logical paradoxes arise that make FW elusive to define. We resolve these paradoxes through a model of FW, in which FW is a new causal primitive empowered to override physical causality under guidance. We develop a simple mathematical realization of this model, that when applied to quantum theory, suggests that the exercise of FW corresponds to a nonlinear POVM causing deviations from the Born rule. In principle, these deviations would stand in conflict with known conservation laws and invariance principles, implying that the brain, the presumed seat of FW, may be an arena of exotic, non-standard physics. However, in practice it will be difficult to distinguish these deviations from quantum and neural noise, and statistical fluctuations. We indicate possible neurobiological and neurological tests, implications and applications of our proposed model.