Single Idea 2950

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

Full Idea

Philosophical behaviourism is an absurd theory. Practically the only philosophers who ever held it, at any rate in its crude form, were certain logical positivists.

Clarification

'Logical positivists' thought most language was only meaningful if it connected to actual observations.

Gist of Idea

Only logical positivists ever believed behaviourism

Source

Michael Lockwood (Mind, Brain and the Quantum [1989], p.25)

Book Reference

Lockwood,Michael: 'Mind,Brain and the Quantum:The Compound 'I'' [Blackwell 1991], p.25


A Reaction

I presume Lockwood's target here is eliminativist behaviourism, as opposed to methodological behaviourism (which is a reasonable practice to adopt), and 'black box' behaviourism (which has been superseded by functionalism).