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Hyperbolas and hyperbole: The free will problem remains

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 October 2005

Bruce Bridgeman*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of California–Santa Cruz, Social Sciences 2, Santa Cruz, CA95064http://psych.ucsc.edu/faculty/bruceb/

Abstract

Hyperbolic theories have the fatal flaw that because of their vertical asymptote they predict irresistible choice of immediate rewards, regardless of future contingencies. They work only for simple situations. Theories incorporating intermediate unconscious choices are more flexible, but are neither exponential nor hyperbolic in their predictions. They don't solve the free will paradox, which may be just a consistent illusion.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005

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