Frank Jackson Functionalism Essay - 1403 Words

In this essay, the main focus will be on functionalism and its theory from the philosopher Hilary Putnam. This essay will explain what functionalism is and will show examples of functionalism and how it is used in daily in people’s lifestyles. Putnam’s theory is a brilliant theory, but has its flaws, which will be explained in more detail down below. The philosopher Frank Jackson has an objection towards functionalism and theory of the mind as a whole. I do believe that functionalism can provide a complete account of the nature of mind, but Putnam has minor flaws in his theory and my reasoning’s come from Jackson’s theory, which will be down below to justify my opinion. Functionalism is the doctrine that makes something a thought, pain, or†¦show more content†¦Putnam uses the Turing Machine example to introduce the term Probabilistic Automata. Probabilistic Automata is one concept of the Turing Machine that introduces the mind states is just functional states. The functional state of Probabilistic Automata consists of sensory inputs and motor outputs. ‘Putnam demonstrates how the sensory inputs and motor outputs are a part of a machine table’ (Suarez, pp.24). He illustrates how distinctive states are related to one another and how sensory and motor outputs are ‘transitional probabilities’ that are given to a machine table (p.434, Putnam). Hilary Putnam s main argument and theory is â€Å"being in pain is a functional state of the organism† (p.434, Putnam). Probabilistic Automata means that all organisms are capable of feeling pain and it is able to identify when organism are in pain. The theory of functionalism is what allows each organism to ‘model mechanically’, and it is able to calculate mathematically different situations that are relevant to functionalism (Suarez, pp.33). In The Nature of Mind, Chapter 21, Putnam compares functionalism and the brain state theory, and then compares functionalism and behaviorism. When he is comparing the theories he gives examples why functionalism is a better theory. For example, Putnam says, â€Å"Consider what the brain-state theorist has to do to make good claims. He has to specify a physical-chemical such that any organism is in pain, if and only if it possesses a brainShow MoreRelatedWhy Functionalism Is A Better Theory Than Identity Theory1231 Words   |  5 PagesIn this essay, I am going to write a response to the objection raised by the functionalists towards identity theory. Identity theory is a form of physicalism; it states that a particular mental state is identical to a particular physical state of body and brain, for instance mental sensation such as pain is simply just the firing of C-fibres (Smart, 1959). This is a reductionist view as it reduces our psychological state to a materialistic and physical form. A prominent objection against identityRead MoreNationalism and Transnationalism in the Context of the European Union28567 Words   |  115 PagesErnest Gellner. Those authors are recognized as major theoreticians of this matter. Furthermore, in an attempt to redefine nationalism in the perspective of the transnational integration, additional theories by Rogers Brubaker, Hans J. Morgenthau, P. Jackson and J. Penrose, are reviewed. This requires a presentation of the historical and contemporary tendencies of the process of European Integration. Being aware of the fact that a literature on that subject has grown significantly in the last