epiphenomenalism Flashcards
What is epiphenomenalism?
A form of dualism where the physical causes the mental but the mental does not cause the physical
It claims that the mental is ‘causally inert’ or ‘causally inefficacious’.
What problem does epiphenomenalism avoid?
The interaction problem
It does not claim that the mental and physical interact.
What is introspection?
The act of observing one’s own mind
It is commonly thought to provide knowledge of mental workings.
What challenge does introspection pose to epiphenomenalism?
If true, it seems impossible to gain knowledge of our mental states
For example, pain cannot cause the belief of being in pain.
What is a consequence of accepting epiphenomenalism regarding mental states?
Both the feeling of pain and the belief in pain must have physical causes
They could potentially have distinct physical causes.
What does radical skepticism about our knowledge of our own mind imply?
We cannot trust our understanding of mental states
This arises from the implications of epiphenomenalism.
What is phenomenology in the context of mental life?
The experience of causal connections between mental states and physical actions
It suggests mental states seem to cause physical movements.
What is the counter-intuitive aspect of mental causation?
It feels like mental states cause physical actions
This is challenged by the premise that feelings must be true.
What has psychology revealed about our conscious awareness?
It is a superficial layer of a deeper unconscious process
This indicates a complex machinery we can’t consciously inspect.
What does evolution by natural selection imply for epiphenomenalism?
If the mind is causally inefficacious, it cannot confer survival advantages
This suggests that the mind could not have evolved.
What does the evolution of consciousness imply?
Consciousness could be a by-product of superior intelligence
It suggests consciousness is generated from complex nervous systems.
