epiphenomenalist
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˌɛpɪfəˈnɒmɪnəlɪst/
- Specialized
- Many philosophers identify as an epiphenomenalist, arguing that mental states do not influence actions.
Examples
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Finally, in support of Brodrick's interpretation, there are also moments in Santayana's own writing that support it and undermine his claims elsewhere to be an epiphenomenalist.
Academic text (2017) -
By these definitions, I am not an epiphenomenalist, though I do still view consciousness as an epiphenomenon of the brain.
Blog text (26) -
Either our experience of the brain in a certain condition is to be accounted for by the regularities we have noted within our wider experience of neurophysiology, which align with the regularities we have observed within nature more widely; in which case, we must deem our conscious experiences a redundant epiphenomenalist shadow of whatever neurophysiology reveals to us.
Academic text (2017) -
An epiphenomenalist believes that our thoughts are simply byproducts of physical brain activity.
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As an epiphenomenalist, she emphasizes that consciousness arises from, but does not alter, our physical state.
Surface Forms
Morphology
epiphenomenalist = epiphenomenal (opaque) = epi + phenomen + al + ist
The step from epiphenomenal to epiphenomenalist is a regular suffixal pattern, but the base adjective is already a specialized philosophical term.
Etymology
Epiphenomenalist comes from epi- 'upon' and phenomenon 'something that appears', which helps you think of a mental 'byproduct' made by something else. As a noun, an epiphenomenalist is a person who believes thoughts come from the brain but cannot cause physical changes.