Knowledge Tree
Relations (1)
related 2.32 — strongly supporting 4 facts
Epiphenomenalism is related to behavior because it posits that mental states are non-causal by-products that do not influence physical actions [1], [2]. The theory is specifically challenged by the need to explain why these mental states correlate with specific physical behaviors rather than arbitrary ones [3], and it is often contrasted with interactionist dualism regarding the causal origins of behavior [4].
Facts (4)
Sources
Non-physicalist Theories of Consciousness cambridge.org 3 facts
claimEpiphenomenalism suggests that pain has no causal effects on behavior, implying that switching the correlations between pain/pleasure and physical states would not impact natural selection.
claimEpiphenomenalism faces a challenge regarding why phenomenal experiences, such as pain or the experience of seeing red, are by-products of specific physical states that cause corresponding behaviors, such as avoidance or verbal reports, rather than arbitrary behaviors.
claimInteractionist dualism posits additional non-physical causal structure that is required to explain certain physical events, such as behavior, which differs from the structure posited by epiphenomenalist or overdetermination dualism.
Dualism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy/Winter 2016 Edition) plato.stanford.edu 1 fact
claimIf epiphenomenalism is true, mental states do not explain behavior, making it explanatorily redundant to postulate mental states for others when a physical explanation for their behavior exists.