Single Idea 8131

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

Full Idea

There appear to be qualitative aspects of experience that have no function in the life of the organism. They constitute dysfunction or noise. Blurriness in a visual experience is an example.

Gist of Idea

Some qualities of experience, like blurred vision, have no function at all

Source

Tyler Burge (Philosophy of Mind: 1950-2000 [2005], p.460)

Book Reference

Burge,Tyler: 'Foundations of the Mind' [OUP 2007], p.460


A Reaction

The best account of blurred vision would seem to be adverbial - I see 'in a blurred way' (nay, blurredly). Hence maybe blurred vision is functional, but it just isn't functioning very well.