introduction what is functionalism
1. Functionalism Introduced. Functionalism is a theory about the nature of mental states. According to functionalists, mental states are identified by what they do rather than by what they are made of.Functionalism is the most familiar or âreceivedâ view among philosophers of mind and cognitive science.unctionalism is supported because it is a theory of mind that is compatible with the likely degree of multiple realization of mental states. Another pair of arguments for functionalism are what can be called the Optimistic and Pessimistic Arguments.