What term describes the concept that the mind is a byproduct of bodily activities rather than a cause?

The concept that the mind is a byproduct of bodily activities rather than a cause is referred to as epiphenomenalism. This philosophical perspective maintains that mental events are the result of physical processes in the brain and body, functioning as secondary phenomena that emerge from the underlying physical workings. In this view, while mental states such as thoughts and feelings arise from physical states, they do not influence or cause subsequent physical states.

This distinction emphasizes a one-way relationship where physical processes give rise to mental experiences, but the reverse is not true. Understanding this model is crucial in the study of the mind-body relationship within the context of chiropractic philosophy, as it highlights the importance of the body's physiological functions in the overall health and well-being of an individual.

Other philosophical stances like substance dualism and property dualism address the relationship between mind and body differently, suggesting interactions or coexistence between mental and physical states. Vitalism, on the other hand, pertains to the belief in a life force beyond physical entities, which is less relevant to the discussion of the mind as a byproduct of bodily activities.