True or False: Hobbes considered mental phenomena to be epiphenomena.

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Thomas Hobbes is known for his materialist philosophy, where he argued that everything, including mental phenomena, is a product of physical processes. He posited that thoughts and mental states arise from bodily movements and interactions, viewing them as secondary effects of the brain's physical activity. This perspective aligns with the idea that mental phenomena could be considered epiphenomena, meaning they are non-essential byproducts of the more fundamental physical processes occurring in the brain and body.

Hobbes suggested that while we experience thoughts and feelings subjectively, these experiences do not have an independent existence outside of the physical processes that generate them. This aligns with the characteristics of epiphenomena in philosophy, where the mental is seen as dependent on the physical rather than being a distinct entity.

Other options incorrectly attribute dualism to Hobbes, as he did not believe in the existence of separate mental and physical substances. His focus on materialism counters any idea of dualism, reinforcing why the statement regarding his view of mental phenomena as epiphenomena is accurate.

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