Single Idea 3180

[catalogued under 17. Mind and Body / B. Behaviourism / 1. Behaviourism]

Full Idea

Defining most mental states seems to requiring citing other mental states - but perhaps behaviourists can define them all simultaneously

Gist of Idea

Maybe behaviourists should define mental states as a group

Source

Georges Rey (Contemporary Philosophy of Mind [1997], 5.3)

Book Reference

Rey,Georges: 'Contemporary Philosophy of Mind' [Blackwell 1997], p.154


A Reaction

This is an interesting strategy for trying to avoid the well known circularity of attempting to define mental states in behavioural terms. Behaviourism won't go away.