Philosophy Functionalism Questions
Functionalism addresses the problem of mental representation by proposing that mental states are not defined by their internal properties, but rather by their functional roles and relationships within a larger system. According to functionalism, mental states are identified by the causal roles they play in relation to inputs, outputs, and other mental states. This means that mental representations are not dependent on specific physical properties or structures, but rather on their ability to perform certain functions. Functionalism allows for multiple physical realizations of the same mental state, as long as they perform the same functional role.