Single Idea 2993

[catalogued under 17. Mind and Body / C. Functionalism / 2. Machine Functionalism]

Full Idea

For any machine that computes a function by executing an explicit algorithm, there exists a hard-wired machine that computes the same function by not executing an explicit algorithm.

Clarification

An 'algorithm' is a sequence of procedures for performing a task

Gist of Idea

Any piece of software can always be hard-wired

Source

Jerry A. Fodor (Psychosemantics [1987], p. 23)

Book Reference

Fodor,Jerry A.: 'Psychosemantics' [MIT 1993], p.23


A Reaction

It is certainly vital for functionalists to understand that software can be hardwired. Presumably we should understand a hardwired alogirthm as 'implicit'?