Combining Texts

Ideas for 'works', 'Animal Rights and Wrongs' and 'Consciousness'

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2 ideas

17. Mind and Body / B. Behaviourism / 4. Behaviourism Critique
Two behaviourists meet. The first says,"You're fine; how am I?" [Lycan]
     Full Idea: Old joke: two Behaviourists meet in the street, and the first says,"You're fine; how am I?"
     From: William Lycan (Consciousness [1987], n1.6)
     A reaction: This invites the response that introspection is uniquely authoritative about 'how we are', but this has been challenged quite a lot recently, which pushes us to consider whether these stupid behaviourists might actually have a good point.
Conditioning may change behaviour without changing the mind [Scruton]
     Full Idea: Conditioning involves a change of behaviour, but not necessarily a change of mind.
     From: Roger Scruton (Animal Rights and Wrongs [1996], p.16)
     A reaction: I am inclined to doubt this. If I was conditioned in some way, I would expect my conscious state to change as well as my behaviour.