Single Idea 4624

[catalogued under 17. Mind and Body / C. Functionalism / 8. Functionalism critique]

Full Idea

If you are a functionalist, there appears to be no room for qualia.

Gist of Idea

If you are a functionalist, there appears to be no room for qualia

Source

John Heil (Philosophy of Mind [1998], Ch.6)

Book Reference

Heil,John: 'Philosophy of Mind' [Routledge 1998], p.212


A Reaction

The problem is not that qualia must be denied, but that there is strong pressure to class them as epiphenomena. However, a raw colour can have a causal role (e.g. in an art gallery). Best to say (with Chalmers?) that functions cause qualia?