more from David M. Armstrong

Single Idea 7434

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

Full Idea

Behaviourism is false, but one is not far from the truth if one defines the mind as the cause of behaviour.

Gist of Idea

Behaviourism is false, but mind is definable as the cause of behaviour

Source

David M. Armstrong (Pref to new 'Materialist Theory' [1992], p.xvi)

Book Reference

Armstrong,D.M.: 'A Materialist Theory of Mind' [Routledge 1993], p.-8


A Reaction

As Putnam says, if you cut all the efferent (outgoing) nerves, you would have a mind with no behaviour at all. I would say my mind is full of stuff that never affects my behaviour. However, influencing behaviour is certainly the main function of a mind.