Epiphenomenon
Epiphenomenon refers to a secondary phenomenon that is caused by and dependent upon another, more significant phenomenon. It is something that arises as a byproduct of a primary process, but does not itself have any causal influence on the primary process or other events. The term originates from philosophy, particularly in discussions about consciousness and the mind-body problem.
In this philosophical context, consciousness is sometimes described as an epiphenomenon of brain activity. This means
The concept of epiphenomenon can be applied more broadly. For example, in a biological system, a particular