epiphenomenalism
/ˌepɪfɪˈnɒmɪnəlɪzəm/
the view that mental events are caused by physical events but have no causal power
epiphenomenalism in a sentence
“Epiphenomenalism treats consciousness as a byproduct without influence.”
Origin of epiphenomenalism
Greek epi- (upon) + phainomenon (appearance)
Related Words
intentionality
the property of mental states being about or directed at something
qualia
the subjective, conscious qualities of experience (the 'what it's like')
representation
a mental state that stands for or depicts something else
functionalism
the view that mental states are defined by their functional roles
emergence
complex properties arising from simpler components that lack those properties
substrate independence
the idea that mental processes don't depend on specific physical material