Single Idea 7518

[catalogued under 18. Thought / A. Modes of Thought / 4. Folk Psychology]

Full Idea

The portrait of folk psychology as a network of causal laws dovetailed neatly with the emerging philosophy of mind called functionalism.

Gist of Idea

If folk psychology gives a network of causal laws, that fits neatly with functionalism

Source

Paul M. Churchland (Folk Psychology [1996], II)

Book Reference

Churchland,Paul and Patricia: 'On the Contrary: critical essays 1987-1997' [MIT 1998], p.7


A Reaction

And from the lower levels functionalism is supported by the notion that the brain is modular. Note the word 'laws'; this implies an underlying precision in folk psychology, which is then easily attacked. Maybe the network is too complex for simple laws.