nonEp

nonEp refers to a concept or entity that is not an epiphenomenon. In philosophy of mind, epiphenomena are mental events that are caused by physical events in the brain but have no causal effects themselves. They are a byproduct of the physical processes of the brain, much like smoke is a byproduct of a fire.

A nonEp, therefore, is something that either is not caused by physical brain events or, if it is, it has a causal influence on other events, either mental or physical. The concept of nonEp is often explored in discussions about consciousness, free will, and the mind-body problem. If consciousness, for example, were considered nonEp, it would imply that our subjective experiences have a genuine role in shaping our actions and thoughts, rather than being mere passive observations.

The debate around epiphenomenalism and its negation, nonEp, touches upon fundamental questions about the nature of reality and our place within it. Different philosophical positions, such as dualism or certain forms of emergentism, often reject epiphenomenalism and implicitly or explicitly embrace the idea of nonEp entities or properties. The precise definition and implications of nonEp can vary depending on the specific philosophical framework being used.