Single Idea 2583

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

Full Idea

It is hard to see how to make sense of the analog of color spectrum inversion with respect to non-qualitative states such a beliefs (where they are functionally equivalent but have different beliefs).

Gist of Idea

You might invert colours, but you can't invert beliefs

Source

Ned Block (Troubles with Functionalism [1978], p. 81)

Book Reference

'The Philosophy of Mind', ed/tr. Beakley,B /Ludlow P [MIT 1992], p.81


A Reaction

I would suggest that beliefs can be 'inverted', because there are all sorts of ways to implement a belief, but colour can't be inverted, because that depends on a particular brain state. It makes good sense to me...