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International Studies in Phenomenology and Philosophy

Series | Book | Chapter

213458

Freudian functionalism

David L Smith

pp. 112-119

Abstract

In this chapter I will explore some of the implications of homuncular functionalism and causal role functionalism for Freud's conception of the mind. I understand causal role functionalism as the doctrine that mental items are type-individuated on the basis of their causal role. I take homuncular functionalism to be the view that psychological processes are rightly understood as brought about by interconnecting components "homunculi"), each of which is functionally individuated, and each of which can be broken down into simpler sub-components, until the simplest neuroanatomical level is reached (Lycan, 1990).

Publication details

Published in:

Smith David L (1999) Freud's philosophy of the unconscious. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 112-119

DOI: 10.1007/978-94-017-1611-6_11

Full citation:

Smith David L (1999) Freudian functionalism, In: Freud's philosophy of the unconscious, Dordrecht, Springer, 112–119.