Absent Qualia Argument Against Functionalism

In this paper I will define, explain, and give an example of functionalism. Then, I will examine the three premises and conclusion that constitute the Absent Qualia argument against Functionalism. Additionally, I will evaluate premise 1 of the Absent Qualia argument and explain my agreement. Lastly, I will evaluate premise 2 of the Absent Qualia argument and explain my disagreement with Phenomenal Consciousness. Functionalism is the idea that a particular mental state is identified by its functional role, not its internal composition. The theory holds that features of the mind are not identical or reducible to features of the body (Heli). I will explain the the mental state of pain in a functionalist perspective. A functionalist may define pain as a mental state that is caused by bodily injury. This injury results in the belief that there is an issue with the body, which then produces a desire to be out of the pain state. The desire produces anxiety which results in wincing or flinching. In the functionalist view, any creature who can meet the aforementioned set of conditions are considered to be in pain, regardless of internal constitution. For humans, an individual is believed to be in pain when they …show more content…
Firstly, Qualia is a specific aspect of a conscious experience. Essentially, it is a person's subjective experience at a given moment. For instance, when looking at a stop sign, the reddish qualia is an aspect that you experience from looking at the sign. The Absent Qualia idea argues that a system could exist that has identical functional organization as a human brain, but lacks qualitative experience. So, functionalism can impose its conditions on a system, but fail to have consciousness (Armstrong, 20717). Functionalism does not capture the “qualia” of mental states, such as emotions and perceptions. The absent qualia argument is composed of three premises and a