Meanings
plural philosophical behaviorists · alternative philosophical behaviourist
- human sciencesSynonym of behaviorist.
Mental states and behaviorial^([sic]) dispositions are therefore very closely, intimately connected—just as the Philosophical Behaviorist insists.
2010, Andrew Pessin, Philosophy of Mind, Recorded Books, →ISBN, page 222 more examples
The goal is to translate terms that purport to refer to mental activity into terms that speak only of behaviors or propensities to behave in certain ways. Thus, the philosophical behaviorist does not eliminate mental discourse, but offers a way to legitimize it.
1988, William Bechtel, Philosophy of Mind: An Overview for Cognitive Science, Hillsdale, New Jersey; Hove; London: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, →ISBN, →LCCN, page 89If, as the philosophical behaviorist claims, to want a coffee is to be disposed to drink coffee, then it is no surprise that someone who wants a coffee tends to drink one.
2005, Ian Ravenscroft, Philosophy of Mind: A Beginner's Guide, New York: Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 28Synonyms: behaviorist
Synonyms & antonyms
nounSynonym of behaviorist.
Origin
Cite this entry
philosophical behaviorist. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/philosophical%20behaviorist
“philosophical behaviorist.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/philosophical%20behaviorist. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “philosophical behaviorist,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/philosophical%20behaviorist.
Source: philosophical behaviorist on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.