In This Selection Churchland Examines Functionalism and the Two Prominent

question 15

True/False

In this selection Churchland examines functionalism and the two prominent versions of materialism in philosophy of mind. Reductivism claims that there is an identity of mental states with brain states. Functionalism rejects any one-to-one correlation between mental types and physical types and concentrates on the relationship between inputs and outputs. For example, the mental event of pain could be similar in two beings that have altogether different types of bodies and brains. Most functionalists are materialists, but someone could be a functionalist and be a nonmaterialist. Eliminative materialism is more radical than either of these other theories and seeks to eliminate "folk psychology"-talk of beliefs, feelings, and perceptions-in favor of more scientific descriptions of what is going on in the brain. Churchland concludes that the truth may be a combination of the two materialist theories, although the evidence points more in the direction of eliminativism.
-Most philosophers accept eliminative materialism.

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Definitions:

Behavior Modification

A technique aimed at changing behavior through systemic reinforcement or punishment.

Extinguish Misbehavior

The process of using behavioral modification techniques to reduce or eliminate undesired behaviors by removing the reinforcement that maintains the behavior.

Systematic Desensitization

A therapeutic technique used to gradually reduce phobia or anxiety through controlled exposure to the feared object or situation in conjunction with relaxation exercises.

Involuntary Learning

The process of learning that occurs without the intention to learn, often reflexively or as a result of exposure to stimuli.