In ‘Troubles with Functionalism’, Block raised a few objections against two versions of functionalism on specifying inputs and outputs. According to functionalism, mental states are identified by what they do rather than by what they are made of. There are two theories that functionalists use to define the mental states which are common-sense functionalism and scientific functionalism. Common-sense functionalism is a theory that is made up of platitudes of our mental states such that everyone who possess the concepts of mental states can recognize as true. Scientific functionalism is about learning upon scientific investigations of how our minds work. Thought experiments which are mental concepts or hypotheses are used to explain these heavy …show more content…
A neuron receives inputs and emits the outputs according to its specific role in the whole network. For the China Brain, the entire nation joins arms are tasked to simulate a neuron within a brain. If they could simulate working neurons, then it is considered a working brain. I argue that the China Brain thought experiment is partially successful (it can or cannot refute functionalism as a theory of consciousness). To argue that the thought experiment is not successful; The intuition is this: ‘It would be completely crazy to believe that a creature whose brain is mainly composed of citizens of China manage satellites could have qualitative experience like you or I.’ But is it any less crazy to believe that a brain composed of little neurons, communicating with each other would have qualititative consciousness and experience. If we can believe the latter, why not the former? However, Block can respond to my argument by saying that ‘I can imagine, without contradicting myself or disregarding any laws of logic, a creature is functionally identical to you but not in mental life. If I can think of such a creature, it must be possible. Therefore, functionalism is
Ned Block in Troubles with Functionalism offers his Absent Qualia Argument. The argument provides a counter example to functionalism. The essential aspect to the functional theory of mind defines mentality in terms of its functional states of a system. The functional states of a system match states according to their inputs, outputs, and internal states. Block’s counter example argues for the possibility of two systems to have the same functional states which determines their functional equivalence. In addition to functional equivalence, the two systems have distinguishable mental states. If functionalism is as adequate account of mentality, then functional equivalence entails mental state equivalence. Block argues against the consequent of
Functionalism is a theory in which various social institutions and processes in society serve a significant function in order for society to continue
Functional Analysis (FA) is any empirical evidence of a cause and effect relationship (Iwata & Dozier, 2008; Jackson, 2017). In other words, FA helps identify the functional relationship. By identifying this relationship, the time to effective treatment is reduced. In the case of problem behaviors, FA helps identify the cause and effect of problem behaviors and also the causes of maintenance before treatment. Problem behaviors do not foretell the function, but FA offers a true demonstration of why the behavior is or is not occurring. FA are more reliable than indirect methods of collecting data, like questionnaires and rating scales, which are unreliable even though more available. FA provides advancement towards treatment quicker and faster
Fodor develops the idea of functionalism by combining certain parts of logical behaviorism and the central-state identity theory. From logical behaviorism, Fodor incorporates the idea that mental processes can be represented by physical if-then statements. As such, behavior and mental causation are no longer distinct and unable to interact. Also, logical behaviorism provides a way for mental causes to interact with other mental causes. This, in turn, may result in a behavioral effect. The last point is also a characteristic of the central-state identity theory. One doctrine of the central-state identity theory is called "token physicalism." Token physicalism states that all mental states that currently exist are neurophysiological. Thus, token physicalism does not place physical restrictions on the type of substance capable of having mental properties. When the points of logical behaviorism and the central-state identity theory, as described here, are combined, functionalism is the result. The theory of functionalism supposes that a m...
Functionalism is basically a theory that describes the mental state of human beings through the combination of both behaviorism theory and the identity theory of the human mind. According to this theory, mental states of people are majorly identified or rather defined by what they frequently do and
Jaegwon Kim thinks that multiple realizability of mental properties would bring about the conclusion that psychology is most likely not a science. Several functionalists, specially, Fodor, take up the opposing stance to Kim, supporting that the multiple realizability of mental states is one of the reasons why psychology is an autonomous and justifiable science. Essentially, Kim think that in order for mental states to be multiply realizable then psychology must be fundamentally broken; with human psycho...
Functionalism is a materialist stance in the philosophy of mind that argues that mental states are purely functional, and thus categorized by their input and output associations and causes, rather than by the physical makeup that constitutes its parts. In this manner, functionalism argues that as long as something operates as a conscious entity, then it is conscious. Block describes functionalism, discusses its inherent dilemmas, and then discusses a more scientifically-driven counter solution called psychofunctionalism and its failings as well. Although Block’s assertions are cogent and well-presented, the psychofunctionalist is able to provide counterarguments to support his viewpoint against Block’s criticisms. I shall argue that though both concepts are not without issue, functionalism appears to satisfy a more acceptable description that philosophers can admit over psychofunctionalism’s chauvinistic disposition that attempts to limit consciousness only to the human race.
Functionalism is the oldest and most commonly used theoretical approach used to understand social issues. Functionalism is a macrosociological perspective that presents the idea that society consists of different components working together to help a society function as one. Sociolog...
Functionalism offers a perspective on the mind that seems to be proper for the needs of many empirical scientists (Hiel 87). This perspective assures solutions to a haze of philosophical perplexities about
middle of paper ... ... the consideration of power and who has it. Functionalist, of course agree with it as their theory of the causes and effects of the various parts and functions that maintain the system. In conclusion I believe that the usefulness of the biological analogy is very useful because the logic behind it is just in that the system does need the organs to work together in order to produce social harmony.
Xi the Bushmen has a very interesting plotline which is explained perfectly through structural functionalism. Structural functionalism is based on social institutions one of them being family. The family is an important social institution as it is the child's first. In the movie The Gods Must Be Crazy, the Bushmen are living in peace and harmony in the Kalahari where the adults are teaching the new generation where to get food and water, teaching those games etc. with responsibility on everyone for something specific.
Structural Functionalism or what I call just functionalism, is just another theory that has society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. This approach looks at society through the macro-level of orientation, which is a broad focus on the social structures that shape society as a whole, and believes that society has evolved like organisms. This approach looks at both social structure and the social functions. Functionalism has society as a whole in terms of the function of its constituent elements; namely norms and customs, traditions, and institutions. There is a common analogy, popularized by Herbert Spencer that presents these parts of society as "organs" that works towards the proper functioning of the "body" as a whole. In the most basic terms, it simply emphasizes "the effort to impute and the rigorously as possible, to each feature, custom, or even practice the effect on the functioning of a supposedly stable and cohesive system.
Well, let's take a look at the brain. From being in class, my awareness about what I'm doing, what I'm seeing, what I'm hearing, what I'm thinking has come to reflect upon not just what, but how is it all being done by my brain. This morning I woke up, my eyes opened, I looked out my window, I saw the sun rising, it was this beautifully deep yellow/orange color. I thought, "How beautiful" and I smiled with a sense and feeling of wonderment. It could be said that I experienced nothing out of the ordinary this morning. Yet, if I could narrate these few activities in terms of the networking of neurons resulting in my eyes opening, my sight of the sun, my ability to perceive its color, my inner acknowledgment of its beauty and the emotions that sight evoked in me, you would be reading for a very long time and what I did this morning would indeed present itself in quite an extraordinary light. It is in recognition of this, with respect to the brain's aptitudes, that Howard Hughes in his paper, "Seeing, Hearing and Smelling the World" quoted May Pines in expressing, "We can recognize a friend instantly-full face, in profile, or even by the back of his head. We can distinguish hundreds of colors and possibly as many as 10,000 smells. We can feel a feather as it brushes our skin, hear the faint rustle of a leaf. It all seems so effortless: we open our eyes or ears and let the world stream in. Yet anything we see, hear, feel, smell, or taste requires billions of nerve cells to flash urgent messages along linked pathways and feedback loops in our brains, performing intricate calculations that scientists have only begun to decipher"(1).
There are many criticisms of functionalism and their theories: Ø Functionalist ideas almost portray humans as being autonomous and that only socialisation determines our lives. They do not really see humans as the unpredictable creatures they are, not possible to stray away from the predictable ideas that functionalists have of people. Too much stress is placed on harmony and the potential for conflict and its affects are generally ignored. Ø There is no recognition of difference by class, region or ethnic group. The functionalist picture is simply reflective of happy middle-class American families.
Not only do functionalists see the various parts of society fulfilling functions they also see them working together. In the case of educational systems, it’s often seen. working together with the economic system as schools develop. skills required for the world of work. Naturally, functionalists have been criticised for their optimism.