epiphenomenon etymology

Etymology:

The word "epiphenomenon" is derived from two Greek roots:

• "epi" (ἐπί): meaning "above" or "upon"
• "phenomenon" (φαινόμενον): meaning "appearance" or "observable event"

Meaning:

An epiphenomenon is a secondary phenomenon that is produced or accompanies a primary phenomenon but is considered non-essential or immaterial to the primary phenomenon. It is often used to describe a mental event or phenomenon that is thought to be a consequence of physical activity but does not have any causal influence on it.

Origin:

The term "epiphenomenon" was first coined by the philosopher Thomas Huxley in an 1874 essay titled "On the Hypothesis that Animals are Automata, and its History." In this essay, Huxley argued that consciousness was an epiphenomenon of neural activity, meaning that it had no direct causal influence on behavior or other physical processes.

Usage:

The term "epiphenomenon" is often used in philosophy of mind, neuroscience, and psychology to describe the relationship between mental and physical events. It is a controversial concept, with some philosophers and scientists arguing that mental events are epiphenomenal and others arguing that they have causal efficacy.

epiphenomenon relate terms

• phenomenon

  Etymology Greek phainomenon Phainein to appear Meaning A natural occurrence

• epicenter

  Etymology Origin Greek epikentros at the center Composition epi upon at k

• deed

  Etymology The word deed comes from the Middle English word dede which in turn der

• finance

  Etymology of Finance The word finance originates from the Old French word finer m

• scepter

  Etymology The word scepter derives from the Old French word sceptre which in turn c

• quandary

  Etymology The word quandary comes from the Old French word quandenier which means

• sanctuary

  Etymology of Sanctuary The word sanctuary derives from the Latin word sanctuarium

• class

  Etymology The term etymology comes from the Greek words etymon true meaning and

• abrupt

  Etymology From Latin abruptus participle of abrumpere meaning to break off or

• dauphin

  Etymology and Origin The word dauphin derives from the Latin word delphinus meaning

• addict

  Etymology The word addict is derived from the Latin word addicere which means to a

• preposterous

  Etymology The word preposterous comes from the Latin phrase prae posterus meaning i