Knowledge Tree
interaction problem
Facts (14)
Sources
Non-physicalist Theories of Consciousness cambridge.org Dec 20, 2023 4 facts
claimThe argument from physical causal closure posits that interaction between physical and non-physical entities conflicts with scientific evidence, which is distinct from the interaction problem that relies on philosophical reasons independent of scientific evidence.
claimThe interaction problem, a traditional objection to dualism raised by Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia, claims that it is not intelligible how mental and physical substances interact if they are considered two different substances.
claimThomas Nagel and Galen Strawson argue that if consciousness emerges from the physical, it must occur through causal production or a dualist psychophysical law, but they reject this possibility by invoking the interaction problem, which posits that such causal relations are unintelligible and impossible.
claimDavid Chalmers, in a 2003 publication, notes that a standard response to the interaction problem is that interaction between physical causes and effects is not truly intelligible either.
Do all non-physicalist theories of consciousness face the interaction ... philosophy.stackexchange.com Nov 17, 2025 4 facts
claimThe 'interaction problem' in dualism refers to the challenge of explaining where and how the interaction between the physical world and consciousness occurs.
claimReductive physicalism posits that consciousness and neural activity are identical, thereby avoiding the interaction problem associated with dualism.
perspectiveDualism fails to provide an answer to the interaction problem, specifically regarding how consciousness receives signals from the brain, how thoughts link to brain activity, how mind-altering substances affect conscious experience, and how brain damage impedes conscious function.
claimThe interaction problem for non-physicalist theories of consciousness exists if the physical world is causally closed.
Panpsychism: Conscious Rocks and Socks - Free Thinking Ministries freethinkingministries.com Nov 24, 2023 3 facts
referenceKenneth Himma authored a paper titled 'What Is a Problem for All Is a Problem for None: Substance Dualism, Physicalism, and the Mind-Body Problem', which discusses the interaction problem in the context of various mind-body theories.
claimPhilip Goff rejects substance dualism primarily due to Ockham's razor and the interaction problem.
claimJoshua Ryan Farris, author of 'The Creation of Self: A Case for the Soul', argues that the interaction problem is a challenge for both substance dualists and panpsychists, as both must explain the bridge between physical and mental events.
Critique of Panpsychism: Philosophical Coherence and Scientific ... thequran.love May 7, 2025 1 fact
claimPanpsychism avoids the interaction problem of Cartesian substance dualism because it posits that mind and matter are not two independent substances, but rather two facets of the same thing.
Non-Reductive Physicalism - Theories of Consciousness theoriesofconsciousness.com 1 fact
claimSubstance Dualism posits that consciousness is a non-physical substance separate from the body, which accounts for subjective experience directly but faces the interaction problem and conflicts with neuroscience.
The Compatibility of Christianity with Panpsychism, Part 1 theologycommons.gcu.edu Sep 2, 2025 1 fact
claimThe 'interaction problem' in philosophy of mind is based on three starting intuitions: (1) the body is physical, (2) the mind is non-physical, and (3) physical effects always have physical causes.