Philosophy Of Mind Questions Long
Functionalism and behaviorism are two distinct theories within the field of philosophy of mind that attempt to explain the relationship between the mind and behavior. While both theories focus on the study of mental states and processes, they differ in their approach and underlying assumptions.
Behaviorism, developed by psychologists such as John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner, emphasizes the importance of observable behavior as the primary focus of psychological study. According to behaviorism, mental states and processes are not relevant or necessary for understanding behavior. Instead, behaviorists argue that all behavior can be explained by external stimuli and the individual's response to those stimuli. In other words, behaviorists believe that behavior is a result of conditioning and reinforcement, and that internal mental states are not necessary to explain or understand behavior.
On the other hand, functionalism, developed by philosophers such as Hilary Putnam and Jerry Fodor, takes a different approach by emphasizing the functional role of mental states and processes. Functionalists argue that mental states are not solely determined by their physical properties, but rather by their causal relations to other mental states, sensory inputs, and behavioral outputs. According to functionalism, mental states can be understood in terms of their role or function in the overall cognitive system, rather than their specific physical or neural properties.
One key difference between behaviorism and functionalism lies in their treatment of mental states. Behaviorism rejects the existence and relevance of mental states, focusing solely on observable behavior. In contrast, functionalism acknowledges the existence of mental states and argues that they play a crucial role in explaining behavior. Functionalists believe that mental states are not reducible to physical states, but rather have a distinct causal role in the cognitive system.
Another difference between the two theories is their approach to explaining behavior. Behaviorism relies on external stimuli and reinforcement to explain behavior, while functionalism emphasizes the internal mental processes and their functional role in shaping behavior. Functionalists argue that mental states, such as beliefs, desires, and intentions, are necessary for understanding and explaining behavior, as they provide the underlying motivations and reasons for an individual's actions.
In summary, the main difference between functionalism and behaviorism lies in their treatment of mental states and their approach to explaining behavior. Behaviorism rejects the existence and relevance of mental states, focusing solely on observable behavior and external stimuli. In contrast, functionalism acknowledges the existence of mental states and emphasizes their functional role in shaping behavior, considering them as crucial components of the cognitive system.