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Robert Cummins
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Robert Cummins

American philosopher
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Robert Cummins was an American philosopher known for his work in the philosophy of mind. He contributed to the development of functionalism, a materialist theory that defines mental states by their causal roles. This approach, inspired by computer science and the concept of a Turing machine, suggests that mental states are characterized by their functions rather than their physical substance. Functionalism allows for mental states to be "multiply realized," meaning they can exist in different physical systems, not just human brains. Cummins' work, alongside philosophers like Hilary Putnam, explored how mental processes could be understood computationally and representationally, contributing to fields like cognitive psychology and artificial intelligence.12

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5 Britannica Sources
  1. philosophy of mind - Functionalism
  2. Hilary Putnam
  3. philosophy of mind - Research strategies for intentionality
  4. functionalism
  5. Noam Chomsky - Philosophy of mind and human nature

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