Perhaps, mental changes or states have changes or states at lower, physical levels, but physical changes and states do not necessarily always subserve mental changes or states {supervenience} {realization, mental}. The physical determines the mental in general ways. Conscious processes are supplementary effects in complex causal neural networks. Because mental events supervene on physical events, mental events are reducible to physical causes. Physical reduction is possible for functions. Intentional states have functions, can be behavior causes, and are reducible to physical explanations. Phenomenal states do not have to have functions or affect behavior and so are epiphenomenal. However, similarities and differences among experiences affect behavior and so have functions [Kim, 2005].
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Date Modified: 2022.0224