Functionalism facts for kids

Functionalism is a big word that can mean different things depending on what you're talking about! It usually refers to the idea that something should be designed or understood based on its purpose or what it does.

Here are some of the main ways the word "functionalism" is used:

• Functionalism (architecture): This is an idea in architecture that says buildings should be designed mainly for what they will be used for. So, if it's a school, it should be designed to be good for learning, not just to look pretty. The look of the building should come from its function.

• Functionalism in international relations: This is a theory about how countries can work together. It suggests that countries can cooperate on specific, practical issues (like health or transportation) even if they disagree on bigger political things. The idea is that working together on these smaller, useful tasks can build trust and lead to more peace. This idea became popular after World War I.

• Functional linguistics: This is a way of studying language. Instead of just looking at grammar rules, functional linguistics focuses on how people use language to communicate and achieve their goals. It looks at why we say things the way we do and what purpose our words serve.

• Functionalism (philosophy of mind): This is a theory in philosophy that tries to explain what the mind is. It suggests that mental states (like being happy or thinking about something) are defined by what they do, not by what they are made of. For example, pain is defined by its function: it's caused by injury, it makes you want to stop the injury, and it makes you say "ouch!"

• Functionalism versus intentionalism: This is a debate among historians about the Holocaust.

* Functionalists argue that the Holocaust happened gradually, as a result of many different decisions and actions by Nazi officials, rather than a single, clear plan from the start. They focus on how the Nazi system "functioned" to lead to the genocide. * Intentionalists believe that the Holocaust was a planned event, driven by Adolf Hitler's clear intention to exterminate Jewish people from the very beginning.

• Structural functionalism: This is a big idea in sociology and anthropology, which are studies of human societies and cultures. It looks at society like a living body, where every part (like families, schools, or governments) has a specific job or "function" that helps the whole society work and stay stable.

• Biological functionalism: This is a way of thinking in anthropology. It looks at how different parts of a culture or society help meet the basic needs of the people in that society, much like how organs in a body help the body survive.

See also

In Spanish: Funcionalismo (desambiguación) para niños