Explain the concept of supervenience in Identity Theory.

Explain the concept of supervenience in Identity Theory.

In Identity Theory, supervenience refers to the relationship between mental states and physical states. It suggests that mental states are dependent on and determined by physical states, meaning that any change in the physical state will result in a corresponding change in the mental state. However, supervenience also implies that mental states cannot be reduced to or explained solely by physical states. While mental states are grounded in physical states, they possess their own unique properties and cannot be fully explained by physical processes alone. This concept highlights the interconnectedness between the physical and mental realms while acknowledging the distinctiveness of mental states.