Single Idea 3370

[catalogued under 17. Mind and Body / B. Behaviourism / 4. Behaviourism Critique]

Full Idea

Is there even a loosely definable range of bodily behaviour that is characteristically exhibited by people when they believe, say, that there is no largest prime number?

Gist of Idea

What behaviour goes with mathematical beliefs?

Source

Jaegwon Kim (Philosophy of Mind [1996], p. 32)

Book Reference

Kim,Jaegwon: 'Philosophy of Mind' [Westview 1998], p.32


A Reaction

This is a highly persuasive argument against behaviourism. Very abstract and theoretical thoughts have no related behaviour, especially among non-mathematicians. I probably believe this idea about numbers, but I can't think what to do about it.