Knowledge Tree
Relations (1)
related 2.32 — strongly supporting 4 facts
Epiphenomenalism and overdetermination are both identified as core positions in the debate over mental causation [1] and are presented as mutually exclusive alternatives for non-physicalists [2]. Furthermore, epiphenomenalism is specifically defined as a strategy to avoid the problem of overdetermination that would otherwise occur if consciousness were to influence physical events {fact:2, fact:4}.
Facts (4)
Sources
Non-physicalist Theories of Consciousness cambridge.org 3 facts
claimThe argument from physical causal closure requires non-physicalists to choose between epiphenomenalism, overdetermination, or the denial of physical causal closure.
claimThe argument for physicalism states that if the principle of physical causal closure is correct, then epiphenomenalism and overdetermination are unacceptable, and conscious states must be physical to cause physical behavior without overdetermination.
claimThere are four possible positions on mental causation: interactionism (which implies violation of physical causal closure), epiphenomenalism, overdetermination, and physicalism.
Resolving the evolutionary paradox of consciousness link.springer.com 1 fact
claimEpiphenomenalism avoids the problem of overdetermination, where physical events are affected by more than what are presumed to be wholly sufficient physical causes, a problem that would arise if consciousness were assumed to affect physical events.