Single Idea 3485

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

Full Idea

If a person exhibits water-seeking behaviour, they also exhibit H2O-seeking behaviour, so there is no way the behaviour itself, without reference to a mental component, can constitute wanting water rather than H2O.

Gist of Idea

Wanting H2O only differs from wanting water in its mental component

Source

John Searle (The Rediscovery of the Mind [1992], Ch. 7.II.4)

Book Reference

Searle,John R.: 'The Rediscovery of the Mind' [MIT 1999], p.158


A Reaction

What about the behaviour of responding to the discovery that this stuff isn't actually H2O? Or the disposition to choose the real thing rather than ersatz water? An interesting comment, though.