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Troubles with Functionalism

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Philosophy FunctionalismChina Brain thought experiment

By Ned Block

Summary

If functionalism is true, then the entire population of China could instantiate the same functional organization as a conscious mind — but the system would not be conscious (China Brain). Consciousness is not substrate-neutral. Introduced the distinction between phenomenal consciousness (P-consciousness) and access consciousness (A-consciousness).

Why It Matters

China Brain is the most powerful objection to functionalism. P vs. A distinction is essential for understanding meditation, subliminal perception, and the "no-report" paradigm in neuroscience.

Notes

This entry is a seed import from the Phase 1 Knowledge Inventory. It has not yet been manually reviewed.