How does functionalism address the problem of mental causation?

How does functionalism address the problem of mental causation?

Functionalism addresses the problem of mental causation by proposing that mental states are not reducible to physical states, but rather are functional states that depend on the causal role they play in the overall system. According to functionalism, mental states are defined by their causal relations to other mental states, sensory inputs, and behavioral outputs. This means that mental causation is not a problem because mental states are causally efficacious in influencing behavior and other mental states, even though they are not identical to physical states. Functionalism allows for mental states to have causal powers without requiring them to be reducible to physical states, thus providing a solution to the problem of mental causation.