epiphenomenal
1
9.9
- adjective
- /ˌɛpɪfəˈnɪməl/
- Specialized
- Many scientists believe that mental states are epiphenomenal, arising from physical brain processes rather than causing them.
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Watch on YouTubeSo it, it's, I think to me, those are the lines of evidence that tell me dreaming is not epiphenomenal.
- So it, it's, I think to me, those are the lines of evidence that tell me dreaming is not epiphenomenal.
Examples
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Some researchers argue that consciousness is merely epiphenomenal, a byproduct of neuronal activities without direct impact on behavior.
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The emotions we feel may be epiphenomenal, reflecting our physical state rather than influencing our decisions.
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Neither is the conflict epiphenomenal, unique to the current context.
Academic text (1993) -
The epiphenomenal motive for this stance is noble.
Academic text (1999) -
That is to say, brain states must be construed as essentially epiphenomenal to mental experiences.
Academic text (2017) -
That is to say, the mind is construed as essentially epiphenomenal to the brain.
Academic text (2017) -
The moral cast to much of our normative arguments is completely epiphenomenal.
Academic text (2008) -
Ethnicity is not independent of socioeconomic structures, but neither is it simply epiphenomenal to them.
Academic text (1992) -
Pessimists argue, on the other hand, that democracy will be either epiphenomenal, cosmetic, or both.
Academic text (1993) -
Messick argues that these texts are transformative and not simply epiphenomenal to other events.
Academic text (1995)
Synonyms
26
6.0
A small or less important result that is not the main thing
How Causal
Surface Forms
Morphology
epiphenomenal = epiphenomenon (semi-transparent) = epi + phenomenon + al
The adjective is a regular formation from the noun 'epiphenomenon' plus '-al', but the underlying noun is a technical term whose meaning is only partly predictable from 'epi' + 'phenomenon'.
Etymology
The word epiphenomenal comes from Greek parts epi- meaning 'on' or 'after' and phenomenon meaning 'a thing that appears'. So something epiphenomenal is an 'extra' or 'byproduct' that happens because of something else and is not the main cause.