From Emergence Theory to Panpsychism: —A Philosophical Evaluation of Nancey Murphy’s Non-reductive Physicalism

In this article, I offer a critical evaluation of non-reductive physicalism as articulated and defended by Nancey Murphy. I argue that (A) the examples given by Murphy do not illustrate robust emergence and the philosophical idea of downward causation. (B) The thesis of multiple realizability is ont...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Leidenhag, Mikael (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Springer Netherlands [2016]
In: Sophia
Year: 2016, Volume: 55, Issue: 3, Pages: 381-394
RelBib Classification:CF Christianity and Science
NBE Anthropology
VA Philosophy
Further subjects:B Causal powers
B Nancey Murphy
B Panpsychism
B emergence theory
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
Volltext (doi)
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Summary:In this article, I offer a critical evaluation of non-reductive physicalism as articulated and defended by Nancey Murphy. I argue that (A) the examples given by Murphy do not illustrate robust emergence and the philosophical idea of downward causation. (B) The thesis of multiple realizability is ontologically neutral, and so cannot support the idea of the causal efficacy of higher-level properties. (C) Supervenience is incompatible with strong emergence. I also argue for the fruitful relationship between emergence theory and panpsychism pertaining to the metaphysical issue of the origin and nature of mind.
ISSN:1873-930X
Contains:Enthalten in: Sophia
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1007/s11841-016-0550-0