In This Selection Churchland Examines Functionalism and the Two Prominent

question 12

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.
-Nagel believes that knowledge of what it is like to be a bat can be acquired through scientific investigation.

Understand the concept and application of multi-attribute utility theory (MAUT) and other decision-making models.

Recognize the influence of problem structure (e.g., framing, information presentation) on decision outcomes.

Comprehend the principles of syllogistic reasoning and the factors influencing it.

Understand the differences in life expectancy between different demographic groups within Canada.