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Single Idea 3499

[from 'The Rediscovery of the Mind' by John Searle, in 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 Reference

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]