Part 2 epiphenomenalism

How did Benjamin Libet believe we retained free will (despite his experiment)?

• We have an immaterial soul unaffected by the physical world

• We can still do what we want

• The conscious mind retains the ability to veto bodily movements

• He didn't, our bodies control us

Which of these two are by-products of evolution on humans?

• Humans having two legs

• Backpain from walking upright

• Our calcium skeleton being white

• Humans being social animals

Why do alterations to the brain cause alterations to the mind on epiphenomenalism?

• Because consciousness is a physical thing

• Because alterations to the brain result in different by-products

• Because the mental states move the body on epiphenomenalism

• Because the mind is immaterial

What is introspection?

• Looking into your mind

• Looking into your backpack

• Looking into your ear

• Looking into your skull

Why wouldn't Huxley count introspection as disproof of epiphenomenalism?

• Because introspection only proves correlation between willing and moving (not causation)

• Because mental states are immaterial

• Because we are not conscious beings just automata

• Because of Elizabeth of Bohemia's interactionist problem

What were two examples of clear ways that mental states have causal powers?

• Willing to move your own body

• Feeling pain in your body

• Reporting your own mental states (e.g. headaches)

• Mental states causes other mental states (e.g. through association)

Why would it seem we have no free will on epiphenomenalism?

• Because the mind is immaterial

• Because mental states have no causal powers

• Because of the interactionist problem

• Because of the masked man fallacy

Which of these 2 apply to Huxley's views on how we still have free will?

• He's a compatibalist

• He's an incompatibalist

• He thinks free will means: Doing what's consistent with your desires

• He thinks free will means: Being able to do other than what you did

Why might epiphenomenalism not fit well with evolution?

• Because evolution can't create immaterial by-products

• Because evolution can't explain souls

• Because mental states can't cause anything and are therefore useless for survival

• Because evolutionary biologists don't appeal to by-product explanations

How did Frank Jackson defend epiphenomenalism against 'evolutionary disutility' criticism?

• Said although polar bear's thick coat is heavy, its worth it to keep it warm - so by-products possible

• Said polar bear's heavy coat gives the animals a good workout

• Said polar bears are 'conscious automata'

• Said polar bears aren't relevant to epiphenomenalism