Our text describes a study by Soon et al. (2008) in which participants’ brain activity was recorded during a button-pressing task. What did the researchers find regarding the relationship between the brain activity supporting the decision to press a button on the one hand, and participants’ conscious intention to press a button on the other? Does this result support or refute the notion of free will?

It refutes the notion of free will.

Explanation:

The brain activity supporting the decision substantially preceded participants' awareness of the decision, refuting the notion of free will.

The researcher discovering the conflict between the brain activity and the conscious intentions of the participants. This was obviously visible with the brain activity supporting the decision to press a button on the one hand, and participants’ conscious intention to press a button on the other.

Hence the research refutes the notion of free will.

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