epiphenomenalism

Question 1

what is epiphenominalsm?

Answer 1

the mental state doesn’t have to make any difference to behavior

• Consciousness is distinct from neural activities, conscious states are
  no physical states
• Consciousness has no causal effects whatsoever, neither on neural
  nor on mental processes
• Current varieties of epiphenomenalism: property-dualism, not
  substance-dualism
• rather scientific view …?

Question 2

what is an epiphenomenon?

Answer 2

An epiphenomenon (plural: epiphenomena) is a secondary phenomenon that occurs alongside or in parallel to a primary phenomenon.

Question 3

dualism or monism?

Answer 3

dualism

Question 4

Does epiphenomenalism violate or preserve the principle of causal closure?

Answer 4

Epiphenomenalism is the view that mental states are not causally efficacious. Since only physical
states are causally efficacious in causal closure, the principle is preserved.

no psychophysical interaction

Question 5

achievements of epiphenominalism

Answer 5

causal closure
MR: mental properties realized by different physical properties
mental properties irreducible: because they are no physical problems