epiphenomenalism

noun

epi·phe·nom·e·nal·ism ˌe-pi-fi-ˈnä-mə-nə-ˌli-zəm

: a doctrine that mental processes are epiphenomena of brain processes

Examples of epiphenomenalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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Conversely, the opposite of this idea is known as epiphenomenalism, where our conscious first-person experience is a by-product of complex processes unfolding in the brain. —

Conor Feehly, Discover Magazine, 13 Aug. 2021

Word History

Etymology

epiphenomenal + -ism

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of epiphenomenalism was in 1899

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Epiphenomenalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epiphenomenalism. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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