Abstract
Objective: To explore concepts of causality within the mind and aetiology of psychiatric disorders in the light of the proposed formulation of the mind–brain problem.
Method: Taking the two propositions of this formulation as ‘first principles’ a logical analysis is attempted.
Results and conclusions: Neural activity cannot in principle be regarded as causing mental activity, or vice versa. Causal processes are most coherently conceptualised in terms of the ‘mind–brain’ system. Determination of causal and aetiological effects will always necessitate consideration of contextual evidence. Because of the ‘explanatory gap’ between explanation in neurophysiological terms and ‘mentalistic’ terms, whenever formulation in mentalistic terms is possible this will carry greater explanatory power; that is, it will carry meaning in the way a neural formulation cannot.