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Full Idea
Epiphenomenalism supposes something to exist in nature which has nothing to do and no purpose to serve.
Gist of Idea
Epiphenomenalism makes the mind totally pointless
Source
Samuel Alexander (works [1927]), quoted by Jaegwon Kim - Philosophy of Mind p.129
Book Ref
Kim,Jaegwon: 'Philosophy of Mind' [Westview 1998], p.129
A Reaction
An objection, but not, I think, a strong one. The fact, for example, that sweat is shiny is the result of good evolutionary reasons, but I cannot think of any purpose which it serves. All events which are purposeful are likely to have side-effects.
14494 | Epiphenomenalism is like a pointless nobleman, kept for show, but soon to be abolished [Alexander,S] |
3398 | Epiphenomenalism makes the mind totally pointless [Alexander,S] |
3534 | To be is to have causal powers [Alexander,S] |