epiphenomenalism

American  

[ep-uh-fuh-nom-uh-nl-iz-uhm] / ˌɛp ə fəˈnɒm ə nlˌɪz əm /

noun

1. the doctrine that consciousness is merely an epiphenomenon of physiological processes, and that it has no power to affect these processes.

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epiphenomenalism British  

/ ˌɛpɪfɪˈnɒmɪnəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the dualistic doctrine that consciousness is merely a by-product of physiological processes and has no power to affect them Compare interactionism parallelism

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• epiphenomenalist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of epiphenomenalism

First recorded in 1895–1900; epi- + phenomenalism

Example Sentences

Some Realists maintain that the brain actually creates the representation, which is the doctrine of Epiphenomenalism: while others hold the view of the Occasionalists, and others posit one reality underlying both.

From Bergson and His Philosophy by Gunn, John Alexander

Bergson however has more to assert than merely the inadequacy and falsity of Parallelism or Epiphenomenalism.

From Bergson and His Philosophy by Gunn, John Alexander