History of Modern Philosophy
Functionalism is a philosophical theory that posits mental states are defined by their functional roles in a system, rather than by their internal composition. It emphasizes the idea that mental processes can be understood in terms of their relationships to inputs, outputs, and other mental states, making it a key perspective in debates about the mind and its place in the natural world. This view intersects with various theories of mind, particularly regarding behaviorism, computational theories of mind, and discussions about consciousness and qualitative experiences.
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