In This Selection Churchland Examines Functionalism and the Two Prominent

question 9

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's argument suggests that mental states cannot be identical with brain states.

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Definitions:

Autonomy Vs. Shame And Doubt

A stage in Erikson's theory of psychosocial development where toddlers learn to exercise their will and do things for themselves, or they doubt their abilities.

Psychosocial Development

A theory that describes how individual personality and social interactions evolve throughout life.

Integrity Vs. Despair

The final stage of Erik Erikson’s developmental sequence, where older adults reflect on their life and either achieve a sense of fulfillment or experience despair.

Adulthood

The stage of life when an individual is fully grown and developed, typically marked by psychological maturity and independence.