Single Idea 3399

[catalogued under 17. Mind and Body / A. Mind-Body Dualism / 6. Epiphenomenalism]

Full Idea

If epiphenomenalism were true, it would be a mystery how such things could be known to us.

Gist of Idea

If epiphenomenalism were true, we couldn't report consciousness

Source

Jaegwon Kim (Philosophy of Mind [1996], p.130)

Book Reference

Kim,Jaegwon: 'Philosophy of Mind' [Westview 1998], p.130


A Reaction

If a brain were asked whether it was conscious, it would presumably say 'yes', but (if epiphenomenalism were true) the cause of that would have to be brain events, and NOT information that it is conscious, which the brain could not have. Big objection.