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Definition:
Behaviorism is a field in psychology which argues that all mental phenomena can be
explained by observing overt human behavior. The basic premise of behaviorism is that
introspection cannot give us accurate information and mental events in the brain
cannot be studied.
Therefore, all that is left for study, prediction and confirmation is human behavior, which will provide us with better, more accurate, and verifiable information about what people really think and believe.
Currently, there are three different forms of behaviorism. According to metaphysical behaviorism, there is no such thing as consciousness. Instead, there are only organisms engaging in various actions. With methodological behaviorism, it doesn't matter whether consciousness exists or not - only behavior can be observed, studied and predicted.
Thus, it is necessary to act, methodologically, as if consciousness did not exist or at least isn't important. According to analytical behaviorism, psychological concepts can be analyzed solely in behavioral terms. It is this anyalytical behaviorism which has had the widest influence on philosophers studying the mind and human consciousness.
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Related Resources:
What is the Philosophy of Mind?
The relatively recent specialty known as Philosophy of Mind deals with questions of consciousness and how it interacts with the body and the outside world. Thus, it asks not only what mental phenomena are and what gives rise to them, but also what relationship they have to the larger physical body and the world around us.What is Philosophy?
What is philosophy? Is there any point in studying philosophy, or is it a useless subject? What are the different branches of philosophy - what's the difference between aestheitcs and ethics? What's the difference between metaphysics and epistemology?
