Two types of mental causation

Author: Wim de Muijnck

Source: Philosophical Explorations, Volume 7, Number 1, March 2004 , pp. 21-35(15)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

In this paper I distinguish two types of mental causation, called 'higher-level causation' and 'exploitation'. These notions superficially resemble the traditional problematic notions of supervenient causation and downward causation, but they are different in crucial respects. My new distinction is supported by a radically externalist competitor of the so-called Standard View of mental states, i.e. the view that mental states are brain states. I argue that on the Alternative View, the notions of 'higher-level causation' and 'exploitation' can in combination dissolve the problem of mental causation as standardly discussed.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1386979032000186836

Publication date: 2004-03-01