CF Debate

Key Argument

The most influential arguments in the computational functionalism debate, representing both the strongest challenges to and defenses of the theory. These arguments are frequently cited by experts as central to their positions.

3 supporting3 challenging

Supporting Arguments (3)

Church Turing Thesis

Most natural processes are computable, so it's likely consciousness is too.

Key Argument, Methodology, Substrate, Behavioural, Ontology, Computational

Fading Qualia

If you slowly replaced your neurons with functionally equivalent chips, your consciousness would fade but you wouldn't be able to report it.

Key Argument, Conceivability, Substrate, Phenomenology

Multiple Realisability Argument

Since different brains can have the same mental state (e.g., pain), what must matter is the functional pattern, not the physical material.

Key Argument, Substrate, Phenomenology, Methodology

Challenging Arguments (3)

Phenomenal Binding Problem

How do CF algorithms give rise to ontologically unified moments of experience?

Key Argument, Phenomenology, Epiphenomenalism

Knowledge Arguments

Knowing all the physical facts about an experience (like seeing red) is not the same as having that experience.

Key Argument, Conceivability, Phenomenology, Anti-Physicalism

Counterfactual Computation Critique

Computation is typically defined in terms of counterfactuals – what a system would do with different inputs is an important part of its causal structure

Key Argument, Epiphenomenalism, Computational