The interpretation of Libet's results on the timing of conscious events: a commentary.
A commentary on articles by Klein, Pockett, and Trevena and Miller, in this issue, is given. Average shift in the point of subjective equality (PSE), calculated by Klein on Libet's data, and corresponding change in mean shift, calculated by Libet et al. (1983), may be "corrected," taking as a reference point the end of the minimum train duration. Values obtained, if significant, indicate a latency for conscious sensation of the skin stimulus of at least 230 ms. Pockett's main conclusions are favored, but her explanation of peripheral-lemniscal couplings is found to be unconvincing. Trevena and Miller's article unsuccessfully tries to rescue a dualist interactionist view. Libet's method of timing intentions is thoroughly criticized.
Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. ggomes@alternex.com.br
Gilberto
G
Gomes
D003243:Consciousness / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D013998:Time Perception / Q000502:physiology*