Functionalism and Homeostasis

Human activities are organized in structures to serve particular functions. Each activity is designed to play a role or serve a purpose that goes beyond the activity itself. Each discrete activity (such as eating) belongs to a pattern of organized activities that serve a common purpose or function, for instance, maintaining the body’s homeostasis. All activities in the system are connected with each other through the common function they serve. The discrete activities of eating, drinking, excreting and resting are designed to replenish and balance the body's energy and materials, which are constantly expended in physical and mental activities, such as work and recreation. Even when one sleeps, the body spends a certain amount of energy to sustain basic physiological functions, such as heart beat that drives blood flow, breathing that replenishes oxygen and etc. The energy we spend on activities need to be replenished through eating and drinking, a process that produces waste that needs to be discharged into the environment.