Single Idea 3380

[catalogued under 17. Mind and Body / B. Behaviourism / 2. Potential Behaviour]

Full Idea

Functionalists take a "realist" approach to dispositions whereas the behaviourist embraces an "instrumentalist" line.

Clarification

'Instrumentalism' is the view that they are useful fictions, not real things

Gist of Idea

Are dispositions real, or just a type of explanation?

Source

Jaegwon Kim (Philosophy of Mind [1996], p. 78)

Book Reference

Kim,Jaegwon: 'Philosophy of Mind' [Westview 1998], p.78


A Reaction

A helpful distinction, which immediately shows why functionalism is superior to behaviourism. There must be some explanation of mental dispositions, and the instrumental view is essentially a refusal to think about the real problem.