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principle of causal closure
Also known as: principle of causal closure, causal closure
Facts (17)
Sources
Hard Problem of Consciousness | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy iep.utm.edu 6 facts
claimInteractionist dualism requires the rejection of the principle of causal closure, which is the claim that every physical event is fully determined by a physical cause.
perspectiveEpiphenomenalists prioritize the scientific principle of causal closure over commonsense intuition, suggesting that experimental results in science may undermine the causal efficacy of consciousness.
claimThe principle of causal closure is widely regarded as central to modern science, comparable to basic conservation principles like the conservation of energy or matter, as noted by Kim (1998).
claimAt the quantum level, it is more plausible to question the principle of causal closure because some interpretations of quantum mechanics suggest that the progression of events is deterministic until an observation occurs, at which point some views hold that the progression becomes indeterministic.
claimThe principle of causal closure is considered a long-held principle in the sciences, and its rejection by interactionist dualism marks a strong break from current scientific orthodoxy, though some philosophers like Collins (2011) have addressed this.
claimThe principle of causal closure states that the physical world is causally closed, meaning all physical events have physical causes.
Do all non-physicalist theories of consciousness face the interaction ... philosophy.stackexchange.com Nov 17, 2025 4 facts
perspectiveThe burden of proof lies with the non-physicalist to justify the claim that consciousness exists outside of the brain, rather than on the physicalist to explain how that claim is excluded from causal closure.
claimMartin Heidegger addresses the issue of causal closure in consciousness theories by positing the primary axiom of 'being-in-the-world'.
claimThe interaction problem for non-physicalist theories of consciousness exists if the physical world is causally closed.
claimPhysicalists classify all existing things into a singular 'physical' category and assume the causal closure of all existence, meaning that non-existent things cannot have a causal effect on existing things.
Panpsychism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy/Fall 2015 Edition) plato.stanford.edu May 23, 2001 3 facts
perspectiveThe author of the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry on Panpsychism argues that the objection from causal closure suffers from an intentional fallacy because properties described in physical terms may be identical to mental properties.
claimThe argument against panpsychism claims that if non-physical evidence existed, the physical world would be causally incomplete, which contradicts the principle of the world's presumed causal closure at the physical level.
perspectiveGriffin (1998) argues that panpsychism provides a reply to the argument from causal closure by addressing the problem of free will.
Panpsychism - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy plato.stanford.edu Jul 18, 2017 1 fact
claimDualism faces the problem of reconciling the causal efficacy of human consciousness with the empirical fact that the physical world is causally closed, meaning every event has a sufficient physical cause.
Panpsychism - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org 1 fact
claimThe physical world's causal closure, as explained by Newton's law of motion (for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction), implies that consciousness cannot exert causal power on the physical world unless consciousness is itself physical.
Moving Forward on the Problem of Consciousness - David Chalmers consc.net 1 fact
claimThe Russellian view of consciousness allows for the integration of experience into the causal network, thereby denying epiphenomenalism while maintaining causal closure and irreducibility.
Non-physicalist Theories of Consciousness cambridge.org Dec 20, 2023 1 fact
claimThe physical world is causally closed, meaning all physical effects have a sufficient physical cause, which implies that if consciousness produces physical effects like behavior, it must be physical.