Philosophical behaviorism is circular

Any attempt to define mental states in terms of behaviorial dispositions relies on further mental states. But this is a circular definition of mentality.

For example, if the desire to eat chicken is defined as a disposition to eat chicken when chicken is present, then this presupposes belief that chicken is edible, which presupposes a belief that chicken is non-poisonous, and so forth.


Roderick M. Chisholm, 1957.


 

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