FUNCTIONALISM
What is functionalism?
Functionalism is a kineology (theory of change) the obverse of determinism. Just as the elements of determinism are sequential ["cause effect"], so there is a sequence to functionalism, but in the opposite direction, namely ["effect cause"]. Positivistic science viewed this sequence as either imaginary or inexplicable, and therefore "not scientific".
However, if systems are designed to display goal-seeking behaviour and feedback correction, they can be both real and explicable.
The root of functionalism is, of course, the concept of function. Although function is one of the main concepts in modern mathematics, science, and engineering, it was actually "invented" by Aristotle in ancient Athens. There is considerable irony in this point of origin, because many in positivistic science considered "function" to be a quintessentially modern concept, owing nothing to pre-modern cultures or thinkers. The connection between function and functionalism is that in systems exhibiting functionalism, their behaviour is a function of goal-seeking processes.
How does functionalism work?
In human behaviour, either individual or organizational, the notion of goals guiding behaviour is at least understandable, even if some instances of patterns may be unintentionally and inadvertently generated. The major controversies arose in situations where goals were implied even when no conscious purpose was demonstrated. Was the "hidden hand" of the market a metaphor or an actual description? Was the homeostasis of organisms or the dynamic equilibrium of ecosystems just convenient heuristics or were they credible explanations? The simplest, most straight-forward answer is also the one many find most distressing: Such action can be interpreted either way.
In cases like this, the role of explanation is NOT to provide "the one correct answer" but rather to develop an understanding of the situation. To the extent that a functionalist account of a process helps to achieve such an explanation, it can be useful. Since there are also those who would prefer to use a deterministic explanation even where goals clearly are in operation, and this too might achieve certain insights, ruling a functionalist approach completely out of bounds does seem rather churlish.
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