Epiphenomenon
(Redirected from Epiphenomenal)
An epiphenomenon (plural: epiphenomena) refers to a secondary or auxiliary phenomenon that emerges alongside or in tandem with a primary phenomenon. The term has dual interpretations: one that implies a defined causative link, and another that suggests an absence of causation or the reservation of judgment concerning it.
Conceptual Overview[edit | edit source]
The epiphenomenal challenge often arises when discussing theories of causation. It typically involves scenarios where an event E is precipitated by another event C, which subsequently (or simultaneously) induces an event F. To illustrate, consider a counterfactual analysis of causation in which causal relationships between events A and B are expounded upon using counterfactual conditionals like: "had A not transpired, B wouldn't have either." If event C invariably triggers event E, and simultaneously produces an epiphenomenon F, the assertion arises that in the absence of event E, event F would be nonexistent. The counterfactual evaluation would then indicate that event E instigated event F. This perspective conflicts with conventional discussions on causation; ordinarily, the claim wouldn't be that E precipitated F, revealing the insufficiency of a sole counterfactual analysis.
Philosophy of Mind and Psychology[edit | edit source]
In the realm of the mind's philosophy, an epiphenomenon might be the outcome of a primary phenomenon but lacks the ability to influence that primary phenomenon.
Epiphenomenalism posits that while physical phenomena can give rise to mental phenomena, the reverse – mental phenomena causing physical ones – is not possible. Strong epiphenomenalism argues that only physical phenomena can cause mental epiphenomena. In contrast, weak epiphenomenalism contends that while both physical and mental phenomena can produce mental epiphenomena, no mental phenomenon can instigate a physical one.
Epiphenomenalism champions the independence of the physical realm from the mental domain. While the latter exists as a derivative, parallel universe to the physical one and is influenced by it (and by other mental epiphenomena in weak epiphenomenalism), it lacks the capacity to impact the physical world. Some instrumentalist adaptations of epiphenomenalism do concede that certain mental phenomena can cause physical ones, but only when such mental occurrences can be distilled down to physical phenomena summations, thereby ensuring that the physical world's causality remains strictly accountable to other physical phenomena.
Medicine[edit | edit source]
In broader contexts, the term 'epiphenomenon' implies a direct causative connection between phenomena, where the epiphenomenon is an outcome of the primary one. This interpretation associates closely with the concept of epiphenomenalism.
Conversely, in medical parlance, such causative implications aren't always present. Here, an epiphenomenon may manifest independently, designated as such either because it isn't the focal phenomenon under scrutiny or because the relationship is purely correlational, with no known or presumed causation.
In this context, identifying X as associated with Y as an epiphenomenon is a way to emphasize that correlation doesn't necessarily entail causation.
Manifestations, symptoms, symptom clusters, and risk factors can all function as epiphenomena in this context. For instance, a heightened risk of breast cancer concurrent with antibiotic use is an epiphenomenon. The antibiotic isn't the causative agent for the increased risk; instead, it's the escalated inflammation accompanying the bacterial infection warranting antibiotic treatment. A useful analogy is viewing the infection as a tree's root, the inflammation as its trunk, and both the cancer and antibiotic as branches. In this metaphor, the antibiotic isn't equivalent to the trunk.
Epiphenomenon Resources | |
---|---|
|
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD