Funkcionalismus

Funkcionalismus (functionalism) is a term used across several disciplines, referring to the idea that the function or purpose of a system should determine its structure, organization, or behavior rather than aesthetic or historical considerations. It is most prominently associated with architecture, sociology, and philosophy of mind, and is understood differently in each field.

In architecture and urban planning, functionalism arose in the early 20th century as part of modernist reform. The principle form follows function guided design toward simple, geometric shapes, unornamented surfaces, and the use of industrial materials such as steel, concrete, and glass. Buildings were intended to serve their intended use efficiently and to reflect their production processes. The approach helped to popularize the International Style, but it also faced criticism for producing impersonal or overly uniform environments and for neglecting local context and craft.

In sociology and anthropology, functionalism treats social institutions as parts of a larger system that contribute to social order and cohesion. Early functionalists like Durkheim argued that social facts arise from collective needs, while mid-20th century theorists such as Parsons and Merton refined ideas about roles, institutions, and dysfunctions. Critics argue that functionalism underplays conflict, power, change, and historical contingency, and that it may justify the status quo.

In philosophy of mind, functionalism is the view that mental states are defined by their causal interactions and functional roles rather than by their internal constitution. A mental state is identified by what it does in the system—its inputs, outputs, and connections—rather than by what it is made of. This view informs debates on artificial intelligence and cognitive science.