Single Idea 4080

[catalogued under 17. Mind and Body / D. Property Dualism / 5. Supervenience of mind]

Full Idea

If the mental supervenes on the physical, then whenever a physical cause brings about some effect, a mental cause comes along for the ride.

Gist of Idea

If mental supervenes on the physical, then every physical cause will be accompanied by a mental one

Source

Tim Crane (Elements of Mind [2001], 2.17)

Book Reference

Crane,Tim: 'Elements of Mind' [OUP 2001], p.61


A Reaction

This is why supervenience seems to imply epiphenomenalism. The very concept of supervenience is dubious.