Two Arguments for Linguistic Behaviorism

Abstract

The traditional behavioristic position that objectivity (agreement among independent observers) is not possible with subjective data (thoughts and feelings) is abandoned in favor of the position that subjective data are as objective as the language employed for their conceptualization. Accordingly, linguistic behaviorism is defined as a philosophy of psychology which maintains that behaviorial language is sufficient but not necessary for the explanation, prediction, and control of all significant psychological events. Two arguments for linguistic behaviorism are advanced: a methodological argument based on a conception of science, and a materialistic argument based on a conception of man. A metaphorical solution of the philosophical problems raised by a behavioral analysis of conscious content concludes the discussion.