Knowledge Tree
Relations (1)
related 2.32 — strongly supporting 4 facts
Epiphenomenalism is related to psychophysical laws because it posits one-way laws to explain the correlation between physical states and mental effects [1], [2]. Furthermore, the theory is often evaluated by comparing its reliance on these laws against the requirements of competing theories like physicalism and interactionism [3], [4].
Facts (4)
Sources
Non-physicalist Theories of Consciousness cambridge.org 4 facts
referenceCritics argue that non-epiphenomenalist theories, specifically interactionism and physicalism, face the same explanatory challenges as epiphenomenalism regarding why specific psychophysical laws or constitution relations exist (Robinson 2007; Corabi 2014).
claimEpiphenomenalism can explain fitting correlations between conscious states and physical behavior by positing one-way psychophysical laws where pain is a by-product of avoidance-causing physical states and pleasure is a by-product of attraction-causing physical states.
perspectiveEpiphenomenalists argue that non-epiphenomenalist theories, such as physicalism and interactionism, face the same improbability issues as epiphenomenalism because they must posit specific two-way psychophysical laws or identity relations to explain correlations between physical and mental states.
claimEpiphenomenalist dualism posits that psychophysical laws operate in one direction only: physical causes produce mental effects, but mental causes do not produce physical effects.