more from Robert Kirk

Single Idea 4994

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

Full Idea

There is a temptation to think that 'aboutness', and the 'contents' of thoughts, and the relation of 'reference', are single and unitary relationships, but behaviourism offers an alternative approach.

Gist of Idea

Behaviourism offers a good alternative to simplistic unitary accounts of mental relationships

Source

Robert Kirk (Mind and Body [2003], §5.5)

Book Reference

Kirk,Robert: 'Mind and Body' [Acumen 2003], p.106


A Reaction

Personally I wouldn't touch behaviourism with a barge-pole (as it ducks the question of WHY certain behaviour occurs), but a warning against simplistic accounts of intentional states is good. I am sure there cannot be a single neat theory of refererence.