What is wrong with epiphenomenalism?
The most powerful argument against epiphenomenalism is that it is self-contradictory: if we have knowledge about epiphenomenalism, then our brains know about the existence of the mind, but if epiphenomenalism were correct, then our brains should not have any knowledge about the mind, because the mind does not affect …
What is an example of epiphenomenon?
In the more general use of the word, a causal relationship between the phenomena is implied; the epiphenomenon is a consequence of the primary phenomenon. For example, having an increased risk of breast cancer concurrent with taking an antibiotic is an epiphenomenon.
Who coined epiphenomenalism?
An epiphenomenon is a secondary symptom, a mere “afterglow” of real phenomena. As a label for a philosophical theory of the mind, “epiphenomenalism” was coined by William James (see [1]) in his criticism of the position of the British biologist, physiologist and philosopher Thomas Henry Huxley.
Why is Epiphenomenalism considered as a version of property dualism?
And while epiphenomenalism is compatible with property dualism (since property dualism states that there are two kinds of properties in the world, and epiphenomenalism states that some mental properties are causally inert by-products of physical properties, thus accepting the existence of two properties), its coherence …
What is the theory of Occasionalism?
occasionalism, version of Cartesian metaphysics that flourished in the last half of the 17th century, in which all interaction between mind and body is mediated by God. It is posited that unextended mind and extended body do not interact directly.
Is Epiphenomenalism a physicalist?
So physicalist epiphenom- enalism is the conjunction of physicalism-i.e., the doctrine that tokens of mental events are tokens of physical events-and type epiphenomenalism. Classic epiphenomenalism, on the other hand, robs mental events of any causal powers whatsoever.
What does the word Epiphenomenal mean?
Definition of epiphenomenon : a secondary phenomenon accompanying another and caused by it specifically : a secondary mental phenomenon that is caused by and accompanies a physical phenomenon but has no causal influence itself.
Is Qualia an Epiphenomenal?
The epiphenomenalist holds that qualia fall into the latter category. They are a by-product of certain brain processes that are highly conducive to survival.
Was Rene Descartes a physicalist?
Descartes attempts to reconcile having an immaterial soul within a largely scientific (and physicalist) framework. This leads to some surprising turns within his theory that are quite different from previous theories on substances.
What are occasional causes Malebranche?
In the words of the most famous occasionalist of the Western philosophical tradition, Nicolas Malebranche, “there is only one true cause because there is only one true God; … the nature or power of each thing is nothing but the will of God; … all natural causes are not true causes but only occasional causes” (OCM II.