Functionalism is a theory of mind that suggests every feeling, emotion, or thought has a function. Mental states are engineered on multiple levels, similar to computers. The theory leads to the idea that anything can have a functional mind. There are different types of functionalism, and it is associated with physicalism. The concept of the “Chinese brain” is a great theory of functionalism.
Functionalism is one of many theories of mind based on the philosophical premise that every feeling, emotion, or thought in the mind is associated solely with the idea that each has a function. In essence, it is an idea of cause and effect where every external stimulus corresponds to a mental state that causes a reaction. The basic tenets of the theory are based solely on understanding how the brain works for external stimulation, essentially how the “software” in the human mind is organized.
According to the theory, mental states are engineered on multiple levels that manifest in various systems and organizational structures not unlike computers. Brain is a physical device that uses a neural substrate to perform calculations based on input from the world, while computers are physical devices that use an electronic substrate to perform calculations based on user input. This is the underlying philosophy, causing many theorists to dismiss the argument, claiming that it does not fully explain the complex functions of the human brain.
Functionalism theory leads to the concept that a computer itself can have a certain level of mental state. This is determined by the idea of multiple realizability; the concept that mental states are simply a functional role, so anything, not just a higher-level cognitive system, should have a functional mind. For example, a knob on a faucet can be made from any material; as long as it fulfills its function of controlling the flow of water, it is said to have a functional role and thus a state of mind based on theory.
There are many different types of functionalism: machine, psycho-functionalism, analytic, or homuncular. Each of these concepts attempts to derive some sort of philosophical truth about the brain and its functions. Most of the ideas stemmed from research done in the field of functionalist psychology in the 1960s and 1970s.
Many philosophers argue that there is an association between functionalism and physicalism, the idea that everything is the sum of physical properties. Some argue that functionalism in its root form refutes physicalism, while others argue that the concepts can exist side by side. Most of the arguments for divergence are based on the notion that functionalism is not concerned with what physically exists, only with what the state of mind means.
One of the great theories of functionalism is the concept of the “Chinese brain”. This argument, postulated in 1980 by philosopher Ned Block, addressed the concept of what would happen if the entire Chinese nation started functioning as a brain. Essentially, every person in you country would take on the job of one neuron and fill the roles collectively. According to functionalism, the collective body, as long as people continued to function in their roles, would be regarded as one mind.
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