Functionalism

Define functionalism

Theory of mind that defines mental states as functional states . They are not defined by what they are made of but defined by their function , what they do .

Define functional states

mental states should be defined as whatever plays the appropriate role in a cognitive system , genuine causes of behaviour and changes in functional state

Example of functionalism

Cars can appear different red , white , black different style but have the same function transportation

Give an example of something which is not defined by a function

cheddar cheese , is not defined by a function

What is the difference between functionalism and identity theory

Identity theory mind is the brain , defined by what it is

Functionalism mental states defined by function , defined by what they do

Explain the difference between substance dualism , physicalism and functionalism

Substance dualism , mind is a non-physical entity

Physicalism , mind is a physical entity

Functionalism ,mental states are functionally defined doesn’t work to define them as what they are

Explain how an eye is defined functionally

Different animals can have different eyes , they look different but they all have the same purpose , giving you the ability to see

What is software ?

mental states

What is hard ware ?

The brain , whatever achieves the mental state

What is the functional state of pain ?

Any state that has the typical inputs o bodily damage , chemical imbalance , the typical outputs cause you to cry , believe you have been injured try to escape the cause of pain

How is functionalism multiply realisable ?

Any creature with the ability to have this kind of functional relationship between input and output is by functionalist account able to feel pain regardless of physical biology of the creature

What do machine functionalists claim ?

Each mental state can be represented using a table . Yet it’s difficult to represent how multiple mental states can occur simultaneously

Example - I am hungry and thinking about revision

What is casual role functionalism ( overall definition of functionalism )?

Each mental state can be fully defined in terms of the causal role it plays in a cognitive system

What are the 3 strengths of functionalism ?

Multiple realisability , super spartan , divisibility

Outline why super spartan are a strength of functionalism

For functionalists you can be in a particular functional state even if it is never expressed in outward behaviour as long as it affects your other functional mental states in the right way

Outline why divisibility is a strength for functionalism

Functionalism operate at a level of abstraction where “divisibility “ isn’t really an appropriate description

Functionalism isn’t committed to the view that mental states are physical states at all

Outline the issue of Ned Block’s “ China Brain “ argument

Ned block argues functionalism is an overly liberal theory , treats too many kinds of things as conscious

Give everyone in China a walkie talkie and simulate connections of neurones into the body connect it to body

In theory could replicate the neurones in your brain with the population of China and be consciousness

How can we apply supervenience to functionalism

Functional facts supervene on mental facts because there are no two metaphysically possible situations in which the function facts are the same but the mental facts are different

What are the two types of functionalism ?

Machine state functionalism

Casual role functionalism

How does the Alan Turing machine apply to mental states ?

Mental states respond to stimuli in a way in which is predetermined by the state we are in .

In theory it could be recorded in an algorithm

Example offer someone who’s hungry some food their hunger will depend on how little or how full they feel when another person asks if they would like some food

In what ways are we similar from Turing machine vending machine?

Mental states are produced by stimulus , cause certain behaviour

Think of examples where our reactions to a stimulus will change dependent on the situation we are in

In what ways are we different from Turing machine vending machine?

Do not always act in a predictable way where as Turing machines do

No one can yet produce a robot that functions like a human mind

What is casual role functionalism ?

More liberal / vaguer theory where each mental state can be fully defined in terms of their causal role it plays in a cognitive system

stimulus - mental states - behaviour/other mental states

What is the main criticism of casual functionalism ?

Qualia , subjective elements of mental states

What are the 3 issues for functionalism ?

Mary’s Room

Inverted Spectra

The knowledge argument