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Single Idea 2591

[from 'The Nature of Mental States' by Hilary Putnam, in 17. Mind and Body / B. Behaviourism / 4. Behaviourism Critique ]

Full Idea

Two animals with all motor nerves cut will have the same actual and potential behaviour (i.e. none), but if only one has uncut pain fibres, it will feel pain where the other won't.

Gist of Idea

Total paralysis would mean that there were mental states but no behaviour at all

Source

Hilary Putnam (The Nature of Mental States [1968], p.57)

Book Reference

'The Philosophy of Mind', ed/tr. Beakley,B /Ludlow P [MIT 1992], p.57


A Reaction

This is a splendidly literal and practical argument against behaviourism - if you prevent all the behaviour, you don't thereby prevent the experience. Clearly we have to say something about what is inside the 'black box' of the mind.