Single Idea 3393

[catalogued under 17. Mind and Body / C. Functionalism / 8. Functionalism critique]

Full Idea

On the functionalist account of mental properties, just where does a mental property get its causal powers?

Gist of Idea

How do functional states give rise to mental causation?

Source

Jaegwon Kim (Philosophy of Mind [1996], p.118)

Book Reference

Kim,Jaegwon: 'Philosophy of Mind' [Westview 1998], p.118


A Reaction

That is the key problem. Something can only have a function if it has intrinsic powers (corkscrews are rigid and helix-shaped). It can't be irrelevant that pain hurts.