different between simply vs epiphenomenalism

English

Etymology

From Middle English symply, symplely; equivalent to simple +? -ly, with *-lely simplified to -ly by haplology.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?s?mpli/

Adverb

simply (comparative more simply, superlative most simply)

1. (manner) In a simple way or state; considered in or by itself; without addition; alone.

   Antonym: complexly

2. (manner) Plainly; without art or subtlety

   Synonyms: clearly, obviously, unquestionably

3. (manner) Weakly; foolishly; stupidly.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Johnson to this entry?)

4. (focus) Merely; solely.

   Synonyms: just; see also Thesaurus:merely

5. (degree) absolutely, positively.

   Synonyms: very; see also Thesaurus:very
6. Frankly.

   Synonyms: honestly; see also Thesaurus:actually

Related terms

• single

Translations

Anagrams

• limpsy

Middle English

Adverb

simply

1. Alternative form of symply (adverb)

English

Etymology

epiphenomenal +? -ism

Noun

epiphenomenalism (countable and uncountable, plural epiphenomenalisms)

1. (philosophy, psychology, uncountable) The doctrine that mental states and processes are simply incidental effects of physiological events in the brain or nervous system and cannot themselves cause any effects in the material world.
   • 1997, Victor Caston, "Epiphenomenalisms, Ancient and Modern," The Philosophical Review, vol. 106, no. 3, p. 310:

     The textbook account of epiphenomenalism goes something like this. Although our thoughts, desires, and other mental states seem to affect what happens in the world, by bringing about changes in our behavior or subsequent mental states, this is only an appearance, cast off by the real physical sequence of cause and effect that underlies our mental life.

2. (philosophy, psychology, countable) Such a doctrine, as advanced by a particular thinker or school of thought.
   • 1926, Stephen C. Pepper, "Emergence," The Journal of Philosophy, vol. 23, no. 9, p. 241:

     The theory of emergent evolution has been largely developed as a corrective of mechanistic theories with their attendant psycho-physical dualisms and epiphenomenalisms.

Related terms

• epiphenomenon
• epiphenomenal
• epiphenomenalist
• epiphenomenalistic

Translations

References

• Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., 1989.
• Random House Webster's Unabridged Electronic Dictionary, 1987-1996.