Single Idea 6545

[catalogued under 17. Mind and Body / C. Functionalism / 1. Functionalism]

Full Idea

'Analytical functionalists', who hold that meanings of mental terms are determined by the causal roles associated with them by 'folk psychology', deny themselves appeals to lower levels of functional organisation.

Gist of Idea

If functionalism focuses on folk psychology, it ignores lower levels of function

Source

William Lycan (Consciousness [1987], 5.4)

Book Reference

Lycan,William G.: 'Consciousness' [MIT 1995], p.60


A Reaction

Presumably folk psychology can fit into the kind of empirical methodology favoured by behaviourists, whereas 'lower levels' are going to become rather speculative and unscientific.