Philosophy Functionalism Questions
Functionalism addresses the problem of mental causation in biological systems by proposing that mental states are not reducible to physical states, but rather are functional states that depend on the causal role they play within a 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 solely dependent on the physical properties of the brain, but rather on the functional organization and interactions of mental states within a biological system. Functionalism allows for mental states to have causal powers and influence over behavior, while still acknowledging the underlying physical substrate on which they depend.