Passive Causation; Making Interactionism Work

Journal of Consciousness Studies 25 (9-10):139-162 (2018)
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Abstract

This paper advances a theory of interactionist mental causation within a non-physicalist property dualist framework. It builds from Chalmers' argument that non-physical experiences can't have causal powers. It reinterprets this as a constraint, then identifies the unique model satisfying it. This has the experience existing passively with physical nature responding actively to it. The paper explores the causal theory presupposed thereby; applies its model to standard property dualism and particulate property dualism ; shows how the model coheres with science; integrates it into a revised functionalist framework having three levels instead of the usual two; explains why consciousness detectors will remain impossible; and argues that dualists should find the model troubling.

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Patrick Lewtas
American University of Beirut

Citations of this work

Monadic panpsychism.Nino Kadić - 2024 - Synthese 203 (2):1-18.
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