Functionalism And Physicalism

Functionalism and Physicalism


     While acquiring knowledge on the topics of Functionalism and

Physicalism, I ran across many disagreement between the two.  Interestingly,

those disagreements gave me an impression of different sides arguing with their

own support from their own theories.  As if an Arabian and a Roman were arguing

about whether the number eleven is an "Arabic" number or a "Roman" number.

Though, as I read more and more of the readings (especially Putnam's), I started

to see a pattern that led me to think that maybe Functionalism is compatible

with Physicalism after all; that these two theories can coexist.


     The claim above is based on the information gathered in the two readings

assigned and therefore, I should go step by step in order to arrive at my

conclusion that they can indeed coexist.  First, I draw Ned Block's elaboration

on Metaphysical Functionalism as a start of my argument.  As Block suggests,

Metaphysical Functionalism is mainly concern about what mental states are;

instead of a psychological explanation (Block, p. 172).  Moreover, they concern

themselves with mental state type; not a specific token of the type.  As in the

case of pain, they are concerned with a mental state called pain, and not of

particular pains (i.e. stomach-ac
This is ONLY a preview of the article. If you would like to view the entire document, you must subscribe to Academic Library. Please register below now!









Subscribe to Academic Library
When you subscribe to the Academic Library, you get 24-hour access to the online database containing full-text articles written by thousands of scholarly students. For only $8.95 per month, you receive unlimited monthly access to view and download all of our 40,000 articles available online. That is less than the price of one textbook!
This price includes:

24-hours-a-day, 7 days a week unlimited access on any computer with Internet access
Complete access to all 40,000 articles, essays, and research papers
Ability to view and download virtually unlimited number of documents
Ability to browse through perfectly arranged catalog of articles
Superior search and relevancy ranking techniques using Google SiteSearch and our local search engine
Instant access to the online database after registration


You can pay by credit card, checking account. You get instant access after registration:


You will be billed $ 8.95 every 30 days (recurring billing) starting on the day you subscribe.

Your credit card will automatically be renewed for your convenience until you cancel.




If you are already registered, please click here to login.