Philosophy of Behaviorism

Catalog description

This course examines radical behaviorism in a broad historical, theoretical, and philosophical context. Works by B. F. Skinner and analyses and extensions of these works will be discussed. Radical, contextual, methodological, and feminist behaviorism will be analyzed and their historical roots investigated. Readings will explore major conceptual issues such as determinism, mentalism, selection by consequences, freedom, control, and responsibility. Finally, the course will cover social issues and cultural design as applications of behavioral thinking.