This paper investigates whether there is an acceptable version of Functionalism that avoids commitment to second-order properties.
I argue that the answer is “no”. I consider two reductionist versions of Functionalism, and argue that both are compatible
with multiple realization as such. There is a more specific type of multiple realization that poses difficulties for these
views, however. The only apparent Functionalist solution is to accept second-order properties.
Keywords Reduction – Functionalism – Mental property – Second-order property – Functional property – Metaphysics