Summary
Summary Functionalism EXAM BUNDLE AQA PHILOSOPHY
Summary study book Philosophy for A Level of Michael Lacewing, Michael Lacewing - ISBN: 9781138690400 (.)
[Show more]
Connected book
Book Title:
Author(s):
- Edition:
- ISBN:
- Edition:
Content preview
FUNCTIONALISM -PHYSICALISM“All mental states can be characterised in
terms of functional roles which can be
multiply realised.”
, Notes:
Functionalism = all mental states can be reduced to functional roles which can be multiply
realised
- What it is like to be a mental state is just to be a state with certain causal
relations to stimuli, behaviour and other mental states
Mental states cannot be understood in behaviour:
- Mental states often cause other mental states
- What behaviour a mental state will cause, depends on other mental states
So, definition of one mental state will have to mention other mental
states
Function = disposition to behave in certain ways and have certain other mental states
Instead of explaining what mental states are we need to look at what mental states do and
function
Is functionalism a form of physicalism:
- It does not matter what minds is, it could be material/immaterial
- Functionalists are physicalists has the idea that functional roles supervene on
physical properties
Functional defines mental states as functional states
- E.g functional role of pain is an unpleasant sensation that causes the organisms
to get away from the thing that’s causing harm
Function is what mental states such as pain
- Function of pain isn’t simply to cause behavioural dispositions, part of the
function of pain is to cause other mental states such as belief that you are in pain
Summary:
Functionalists understand relations between inputs, mental states and outputs in a
causal sequence of events
There are different types of functional states
o E.g functional role of an eye is having the role of sight
Functionalism argues that we can define something in terms of its causal function
role applied to mental states and its properties
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller MasterPhilosopherAlevel. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £11.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
73216 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy revision notes and other study material for 14 years now