Skip to content
Carmelics
TopicsThinkersChangesContributorsLoading account…

    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

    Navigate

    • Topics
    • Search
    • Recent Changes
    • Contribute
    • How It Works
    • Glossary
    • Thinkers
    • Contributors
    • About
    • Statistics
    • Terms
    • Privacy

    Database

    Statements
    —
    Perspectives
    —
    Topics
    —

    Press ? for keyboard shortcuts

    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Home/Original/inverse
    See Original
    Inverse View

    It is not the case that The threat of epiphenomenal irrelevance cannot be simply dismissed as an obvious non-option

    ?Set your confidence on the premises below to see your aggregate.

    Reasons For

    2 perspectives
    Reason for 1 of 2
    ?
    • 1.Causal exclusion arguments against mental causation, as Kim's work shows, apply equally to all higher-level properties, not consciousness specifically.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.If epiphenomenalism threatens consciousness, it threatens all special sciences, making it a reductio of physicalism rather than a distinctive problem for consciousness.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.A threat that proves too much by undermining all intentional explanation cannot serve as a targeted objection to the causal relevance of consciousness.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reason for 2 of 2
    ?
    • 1.Evolutionary arguments establish that phenomenal consciousness was selected for, providing strong empirical grounds that it is causally efficacious.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Dennett and Dretske both argue that any property systematically correlated with adaptive behavior in evolved organisms must be granted causal status.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.The burden of proof falls on those denying causal efficacy to explain how epiphenomenal traits could survive natural selection across generations.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.At least some forms of consciousness have been seriously alleged in recent literature to lack causal status
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Worries about epiphenomenal irrelevance have been raised with regard to qualia and qualitative consciousness by credible philosophers
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Challenges have also been leveled against the causal status of meta-mental consciousness
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Next step

    Based on where you are in your exploration

    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.