Functionalism

• Functionalism


  All mental states can be reduced to functional roles which can be multiply realised
• Functionalism


  • Reductionism argument: Functionalists reduce mental properties/states to functional properties/states
  • Ontologically conservative: postulates one substance, physical substance
• Inverted qualia


  Two subjects have qualitatively different experiences when confronted by the same stimuli, despite being functionally equivalent
• Functionalism about the qualitative aspects of seeing a colour

  Is true only if it is impossible for there to be two individuals with identical functional roles, but distinct qualitative characters
• If it is conceivable that P


  Then it is possible that P
• Functionalism cannot capture the qualitative aspect of experience
• Ned Block's China Brain thought experiment


  • A setup that is functionally identical to a mind but is clearly not the same thing
• According to functionalism, the China brain would actually be in pain, say, given the appropriate inputs (like being stabbed). But this is obviously false
• Just because the example of the China brain is functionally identical to human pain, doesn't mean the China brain really is in pain
• So functionalism is false. There's clearly more to mental states than their function - there is no qualia in an identical functional duplicate
• A version of the knowledge argument for property dualism can be used to criticise functionalism


  All the physical and functional facts would not be enough for Mary to know what it's like to see red
• So, there is more to the mental state of seeing red than simply the physical and functional facts
• So, functionalism is wrong – there is more to mental states than their function as it cannot explain qualia
• Functionalism


  Defines mental states as functional states within an organism
• Functionalism


  • A response to the problems faced by behaviourism and identity theory
• Functions


  Should be understood within the context of the entire mind
• The function of pain


  Isn't simply to cause behavioural dispositions, but also to cause other mental states such as a belief that you are in pain, or a desire for the pain to stop
• The knowledge argument for property dualism


  Can be used to criticise functionalism
• All the physical *and functional facts* would not be enough for Mary to know what it's like to see red
• When Mary leaves the black and white room for the first time and sees red, she learns something new about the mental state of seeing red
• Functionalism is wrong - there is more to mental states than their function as it cannot explain qualia
• Functionalism


  A theory in philosophy of mind that suggests mental states can be defined by their functional role, i.e., the causal relationships between inputs, outputs, and other mental states.
• Criticism of functionalism


  Functionalism cannot account for qualia, the subjective, phenomenal aspects of our mental states. This is because functionalism defines mental states solely by their functional roles, leaving no room for qualia.
• Qualia


  The subjective, phenomenal aspects of our mental states. They are the "what it's like" to have a particular mental state.
• Identical functional duplicate


  An example used to criticize functionalism, where two beings have the same functional roles but different qualia. This highlights the problem that functionalism cannot account for qualia.
• Problem with functionalism


  Functionalism cannot account for qualia, the subjective, phenomenal aspects of our mental states. This is because functionalism defines mental states solely by their functional roles, leaving no room for qualia.
• Identical functional duplicate example

  An example used to criticize functionalism, where two beings have the same functional roles but different qualia. This highlights the problem that functionalism cannot account for qualia.
• Functional roles


  The causal relationships between inputs, outputs, and other mental states. According to functionalism, mental states are defined solely by their functional roles.
• Mental states


  The various states of consciousness, such as beliefs, desires, perceptions, and emotions, that make up our mental lives.