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Single Idea 3499

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

Full Idea

Most of the works I have seen in the computational theory of the mind commit some variation on the homunculus fallacy.

Clarification

The homunculus fallacy says a person's mind contains a little person

Gist of Idea

Computation presupposes consciousness

Source

John Searle (The Rediscovery of the Mind [1992], Ch. 9.VI)

Book Ref

Searle,John R.: 'The Rediscovery of the Mind' [MIT 1999], p.212


A Reaction

This will be because there is an unspoken user for the inner computer. But see Fodor's view (Idea 2506). The key idea here is Dennett's: that not all regresses are vicious. My mind controller isn't like all of me.

Related Idea

Idea 2506 If I have a set of mental modules, someone had better be in charge of them! [Fodor]


The 18 ideas with the same theme [criticisms of the functionalist theory of mind]:

Is there just one computational state for each specific belief? [Putnam]
Functionalism can't explain reference and truth, which are needed for logic [Putnam]
If concepts have external meaning, computational states won't explain psychology [Putnam]
Computation presupposes consciousness [Searle]
If we are computers, who is the user? [Searle]
How do functional states give rise to mental causation? [Kim]
Could a creature without a brain be in the right functional state for pain? [Block]
Not just any old functional network will have mental states [Block]
In functionalism, what are the special inputs and outputs of conscious creatures? [Block]
Functionalism needs causation and intentionality to explain actions [Papineau]
Role concepts either name the realising property, or the higher property constituting the role [Papineau]
One computer program could either play chess or fight a war [Rey]
The Chinese Mind doesn't seem conscious, but then nor do brains from outside [Chalmers]
Functionalism cannot explain consciousness just by functional organisation [Heil]
If you are a functionalist, there appears to be no room for qualia [Heil]
Functionalism can't distinguish our experiences in spectrum inversion [Lowe]
Functionalism only discusses relational properties of mental states, not intrinsic properties [Lowe]
Functionalism commits us to bizarre possibilities, such as 'zombies' [Lowe]