How are qualia coupled to functions?
WHAT DETERMINES THE NATURE OF SUBJECTIVE EXPERIENCE: associated behavioural functions or mediating neural activity? A recent analysis by Hurley and Noë of a variety of cases of behavioural and neural plasticity shows that, under different conditions, either can predominate. This adds to other efforts to transfer the doctrine of functionalism from philosophical debate to empirical scrutiny, where it is hoped that it may eventually be resolved.
Gray
Jeffrey
J
Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, SE5 8AF, London, UK