"In philosophy of mind, functionalism is the thesis that each and every mental state is constituted solely by its functional role."
The belief that mental states can be explained by their functional role or contribution to the system as a whole, rather than by their physical or chemical composition.
"It means its causal relation to other mental states, sensory inputs, and behavioral outputs."
"Functionalism developed largely as an alternative to the identity theory of mind and behaviorism."
"It is different from its predecessors of Cartesian dualism (advocating independent mental and physical substances) because it is only concerned with the effective functions of the brain."
"It is different from Skinnerian behaviorism and physicalism because it is only concerned with the effective functions of the brain, through its organization or its 'software programs'."
"Functionalism is a theoretical level between the physical implementation and behavioral output."
"Since a mental state is identified by a functional role, it is said to be realized on multiple levels; in other words, it is able to be manifested in various systems."
"A mental state is able to be manifested in various systems, even perhaps computers, so long as the system performs the appropriate functions."
"A computer's program performs the functions via computations on inputs to give outputs, implemented via its electronic substrate."
"A brain performs the functions via its biological operation and stimulus responses."
"It is only concerned with the effective functions of the brain, through its organization or its 'software programs'."
"No, unlike Cartesian dualism, functionalism is not concerned with independent mental and physical substances."
"A mental state is constituted solely by its functional role, which means its causal relation to other mental states, sensory inputs, and behavioral outputs."
"The alternative to functionalism is the identity theory of mind and behaviorism."
"Functionalism is concerned with the effective functions of the brain, while behaviorism focuses on behavior."
"A mental state is constituted by its functional role, which includes its causal relation to sensory inputs."
"A mental state is constituted by its functional role, which includes its causal relation to behavioral outputs."
"Yes, each and every mental state is constituted solely by its functional role."
"No, a mental state can be manifested in various systems, even perhaps computers."
"A computer performs the functions via computations on inputs, implemented via its electronic substrate, while a brain performs the functions via its biological operation and stimulus responses."