Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 11, 2026

SECONDs Administration Guidelines: A Fast Tool to Assess Consciousness in Brain-injured Patients
Published on: February 6, 2021
Emergence of free will and consciousness in humans: implications for doctor-patient interactions
1Post-retirement Clinical Teaching Fellow, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Abstract:
Human brains have about 100 billion neurons each with about 1000 dendritic connections with other neurons giving a total of 100 000 billion deterministic dendritic switches. Various voting systems that the brain may use can produce conflicting results from identical inputs without any indication as to which one or ones would be correct. Voting systems cannot deliver unequivocal results in any other than the simplest situations. It is hypothesised that these conflicting results provide an indeterminacy that underlies free will, self-awareness, awareness of others, consciousness and personal responsibility, all of which can influence doctor-patient interactions.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Emerging Adulthood
Understanding Consciousness
Sleep, a crucial state, is characterized by reduced...
Introduction Cardiac Emergencies
Applications of GIS: Disaster Management and Emergency Response
Predator-Prey Interactions
Van der Waals Interactions

