What does "epiphenomenalism" mean?
The doctrine that mental states and processes are simply incidental effects of physiological events in the brain or nervous system and cannot themselves cause any effects in the material world.
Epiphenomenalism
noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The doctrine that mental states and processes are simply incidental effects of physiological events in the brain or nervous system and cannot themselves cause any effects in the material world.
- Grammar: epiphenomenalism is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: animalism, atomism, behaviorism, dialectical materialism.
- Usage evidence: The textbook account of epiphenomenalism goes something like this. Although our thoughts, desires, and other mental states seem to affect what happens in the world, by bringing about changes in our behavior or subsequent mental states, this is only an appearance, cast off by the real physical sequence of cause and effect that underlies our mental life.
How to use "epiphenomenalism"
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Meaning check
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Source and review context
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Definition decision workflow
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 The doctrine that mental states and processes are simply incidental effects of physiological events in the brain or nervous system and cannot themselves cause any effects in the material world. uncountable
"The textbook account of epiphenomenalism goes something like this. Although our thoughts, desires, and other mental states seem to affect what happens in the world, by bringing about changes in our behavior or subsequent mental states, this is only an appearance, cast off by the real physical sequence of cause and effect that underlies our mental life."
- 2 Such a doctrine, as advanced by a particular thinker or school of thought. countable
"The theory of emergent evolution has been largely developed as a corrective of mechanistic theories with their attendant psycho-physical dualisms and epiphenomenalisms."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"The textbook account of epiphenomenalism goes something like this. Although our thoughts, desires, and other mental states seem to affect what happens in the world, by bringing about changes in our behavior or subsequent mental states, this is only an appearance, cast off by the real physical sequence of cause and effect that underlies our mental life."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "epiphenomenalism"?
Common synonyms include: animalism, atomism, behaviorism, dialectical materialism, empiricism, marxism.
How do you use "epiphenomenalism" in a sentence?
The textbook account of epiphenomenalism goes something like this. Although our thoughts, desires, and other mental states seem to affect what happens in the world, by bringing about changes in our behavior or subsequent mental states, this is only an appearance, cast off by the real physical sequence of cause and effect that underlies our mental life.
Etymology
From epiphenomenal + -ism.