Non-Reductive Physicalism

Non-Reductive Physicalism is a philosophical position asserting that while everything in the universe is ultimately physical, mental states cannot be fully explained by just physical processes. It argues that mental experiences, like thoughts and feelings, have their own properties and cannot be reduced to brain activity alone. This perspective recognizes the importance of mental phenomena while maintaining that they arise from physical systems. In essence, it holds that the mind and body interact, but mental states have unique qualities that deserve separate consideration, reflecting a more complex relationship than a simple physical explanation would suggest.