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    A hierarchy of being that permits downward causation but ... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→The body cannot affect the soul, but the soul can affect the body

    A hierarchy of being that permits downward causation but categorically forbids upward causation requires independent justification beyond mere ontological rank.

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    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
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    • 1.Asymmetric causal powers require asymmetric justification; rank alone cannot explain why influence flows one direction exclusively.
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    • 2.Physical closure of lower levels (physics determines chemistry) suggests upward causation is possible, making downward-only causation arbitrary.
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    • 3.Without independent justification, the prohibition appears stipulated to protect higher-level autonomy rather than grounded in reality.
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    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Downward causation (laws of nature, boundary conditions) is fundamental; upward causation violates this via composition—parts cannot determine wholes.
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    • 2.The claim equivocates on 'causation'—formal/organizational causation differs from efficient causation and requires no symmetry justification.
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    • 3.Ontological rank itself (emergence, organizational complexity) provides sufficient justification without additional independent argument required.
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    Consciousness & Mind1 linkedPerception1 linked

    Related

    Asymmetric causal powers require asymmetric justification; rank alone cannot exp...Downward causation (laws of nature, boundary conditions) is fundamental; upward ...Ontological rank itself (emergence, organizational complexity) provides sufficie...Physical closure of lower levels (physics determines chemistry) suggests upward ...
    +3 moreShow less
    The body cannot affect the soul, but the soul can affect the bodyThe claim equivocates on 'causation'—formal/organizational causation differs fro...Without independent justification, the prohibition appears stipulated to protect...

    Details

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    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
    Edits
    1 edit