What is the problem of mental causation?

Philosophy Of Mind Questions



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What is the problem of mental causation?

The problem of mental causation refers to the challenge of explaining how mental states or events can causally influence physical states or events. It raises questions about the relationship between the mind and the physical world, and whether mental events can have any causal efficacy. This problem arises because mental states are often seen as non-physical or subjective, while physical events are governed by the laws of physics. Resolving the problem of mental causation requires addressing issues such as the nature of mental states, their relationship to physical states, and the mechanisms through which mental causation could occur.