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Single Idea 6544

[from 'Consciousness' by William Lycan, in 17. Mind and Body / E. Mind as Physical / 1. Physical Mind ]

Full Idea

'Neuron' may be understood as a physiological term or a functional term, so even the Identity Theorist is a Functionalist - one who locates mental entities at a very low level of abstraction.

Gist of Idea

Identity theory is functionalism, but located at the lowest level of abstraction

Source

William Lycan (Consciousness [1987], 5.4)

Book Reference

Lycan,William G.: 'Consciousness' [MIT 1995], p.59


A Reaction

This is a striking observation, and somewhat inclines me to switch from identity theory to functionalism. If you ask what is the correct level of abstraction, Lycan's teleological-homuncular version refers you to all the levels.