philosophical behaviorist

noun

Synonym of behaviorist.

Meanings

nounphilosophical behaviorist (plural philosophical behaviorists)

plural philosophical behaviorists · alternative philosophical behaviourist

  1. 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 22
    2 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 89

    If, 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 28

    Synonyms: behaviorist

Synonyms & antonyms

nounSynonym of behaviorist.

Origin

Cite this entry
APA

philosophical behaviorist. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/philosophical%20behaviorist

MLA

“philosophical behaviorist.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/philosophical%20behaviorist. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

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.