functionalism
/ˈfʌŋkʃənəlɪzəm/
the view that mental states are defined by their functional roles
functionalism in a sentence
“Functionalism suggests minds could be implemented in different substrates.”
Origin of functionalism
Latin functio (performance) + -ism
Related Words
emergence
complex properties arising from simpler components that lack those properties
substrate independence
the idea that mental processes don't depend on specific physical material
symbol grounding
connecting abstract symbols to real-world meaning and experience
phenomenal consciousness
the subjective, experiential aspect of mental states
propositional attitude
a mental state relating a person to a proposition (believes that, hopes that)
dualism
the view that mind and body are fundamentally different substances