Philosophy Mind Body Problem Questions
Non-reductive physicalism is a philosophical position that seeks to address the mind-body problem by acknowledging the existence of mental states and properties while maintaining that they are ultimately grounded in physical processes. It rejects the reductionist view that mental phenomena can be fully explained by or reduced to physical phenomena alone. Non-reductive physicalism argues that mental states and properties are emergent from, but not reducible to, the physical processes of the brain. It recognizes the causal efficacy of mental states and their ability to influence physical events, while still acknowledging the fundamental role of physical processes in shaping and determining mental phenomena. In essence, non-reductive physicalism seeks to bridge the gap between the subjective experiences of the mind and the objective reality of the physical world.