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WorksheetsPart 2 epiphenomenalism
Total questions: 10
Worksheet time: 6mins
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
