Knowledge Tree
Relations (1)
related 2.81 — strongly supporting 6 facts
Epiphenomenalism is defined by its specific stance on the causal relationship between consciousness and the physical reality, asserting that consciousness is either produced by the physical world [1] or lacks the causal power to influence it {fact:3, fact:5}. Furthermore, the theory is evaluated based on its ability to maintain the autonomy of the physical reality [2] and its failure to integrate consciousness into that physical reality [3].
Facts (6)
Sources
Dualism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy/Winter 2016 Edition) plato.stanford.edu 2 facts
claimEpiphenomenalism asserts that the physical world produces non-physical mental states.
perspectiveEpiphenomenalism is more effective at preserving the autonomy of the physical world (the concept of the world being 'closed under physics') than at avoiding the need for causal interaction between the physical and non-physical.
Resolving the evolutionary paradox of consciousness link.springer.com 1 fact
perspectiveWilliam James argued against epiphenomenalism (also known as automaton-theory), which is the metaphysical perspective that consciousness is not efficacious and does not affect the physical world.
Non-physicalist Theories of Consciousness cambridge.org 1 fact
referenceJ.J.C. Smart argued in 1959 that epiphenomenalism is less elegant than other theories because it treats consciousness as a 'nomological dangler' rather than integrating it into the physical world.
Panpsychism - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org 1 fact
claimEpiphenomenalism is the philosophical state of affairs where consciousness is separate from the physical world and therefore has no room to exert causal power on the world.
Moving Forward on the Problem of Consciousness - David Chalmers consc.net 1 fact
claimDavid Chalmers defines epiphenomenalism as the view that consciousness has no effect on the physical world.