4min chapter

Making Sense with Sam Harris cover image

#318 — Physics & Philosophy

Making Sense with Sam Harris

CHAPTER

Functionalism in the Philosophy of Mind

I think what I hear you alluding to is what often goes by the name of functionalism in the philosophy of mind. We could acknowledge that any physical instantiation of a certain function, let's say a stock market or anything else, does in fact reduce to physics. But it has a logical structure that can be implemented in multiple instantiations - even within our world where the laws of physics are the same. And we know we can implement on highly non-analogous physical substrates.

00:00

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode