How does functionalism address the problem of mental representation in machines?

Philosophy Functionalism Questions



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How does functionalism address the problem of mental representation in machines?

Functionalism addresses the problem of mental representation in machines by proposing that mental states are not dependent on the specific physical substrate, but rather on the functional organization of the system. According to functionalism, mental states can be realized by different physical systems as long as they perform the same functions. Therefore, machines can have mental representations if they possess the necessary functional organization to process and represent information in a way that is analogous to human cognition.