What is the role of supervenience in mental causation according to Identity Theory?

Philosophy Identity Theory Questions



66 Short 48 Medium 48 Long Answer Questions Question Index

What is the role of supervenience in mental causation according to Identity Theory?

According to Identity Theory, the role of supervenience in mental causation is to establish a relationship between mental states and physical states. Supervenience refers to the idea that mental states are dependent on and determined by underlying physical states. In other words, mental properties are said to supervene on physical properties. This means that any change in mental states must be accompanied by a corresponding change in physical states. Therefore, supervenience ensures that mental causation is ultimately grounded in the physical realm, as mental events are causally determined by the underlying physical events.