Research
Emergentism Reconsidered
Author:
Kenji Lota
Washington State University, GB
Abstract
This paper argues that emergentism is not committed to downward causation but of direct causation. Events that are believed to be caused by a mental state, whether physical or mental, are actually caused by a physical state with a mental property. These mental properties are caused by the complexity of a collection of several physical components. Emergentism, as a view, is often faced by the fallacy of composition given its nomological nature which leads one to resort to dualism. Mental properties cannot exist in and of itself, but it only supports the physical through entailment. Lastly, it gives a brief discussion regarding some of the conditions of the possibility of emergent properties in conjunction with the characteristics of biological organisms.
How to Cite:
Lota, K., 2017. Emergentism Reconsidered. International Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities, 9(2), pp.5 (30–40). DOI: http://doi.org/10.7710/2155-4838.1164
Published on
07 Sep 2017.
Peer Reviewed
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