Functionalist
Example: The functionalist approach explains mental states by their causal roles.
Definition
"Functionalist" in philosophy refers to a person who supports or advocates the theory that mental states are defined by their functional roles and causal relations rather than by their internal constitution. The functionalist approach explains mental states by their causal roles in behavior and cognition.
Etymology
The term "functionalist" derives from the word 'function' combined with the suffix '-alist,' indicating someone who adheres to a particular doctrine or theory. It emerged in the mid-20th century alongside developments in philosophy of mind and psychology, emphasizing the role or function of mental processes. Did you know? The rise of functionalism was partly a response to earlier theories focusing solely on the physical substance of the mind.
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"Functionalist" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - Philosophy - (C2) - set 1", containing 120 commonly used words.
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