epiphenomenalism

noun

epi·​phe·​nom·​e·​nal·​ism ˌe-pi-fi-ˈnä-mə-nə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce epiphenomenalism (audio)
: a doctrine that mental processes are epiphenomena of brain processes

Examples of epiphenomenalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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

Dictionary Entries Near epiphenomenalism

Cite this Entry

“Epiphenomenalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epiphenomenalism. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

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