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Some early similarities and later differences between Bertrand Russell and B. F. Skinner
1Allen Hall, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. rmoxley@wvu.edu
The Behavior Analyst
|April 6, 2012
Summary
Bertrand Russell influenced B. F. Skinner
Area of Science:
- Philosophy of Science
- Behavioral Psychology
Background:
- B. F. Skinner cited Bertrand Russell as a key influence on his adoption of behaviorism.
- Early similarities existed between Skinner and Russell across various intellectual domains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the intellectual relationship between B. F. Skinner and Bertrand Russell.
- To trace the evolution of Skinner's behaviorism and Russell's influence.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of Skinner's and Russell's philosophical and scientific writings.
- Historical review of their intellectual development and shared influences.
Main Results:
- Russell initially guided Skinner towards a two-term stimulus-response behaviorism.
- Skinner later diverged from Russell, particularly by embracing pragmatism, a philosophy Russell initially disliked but later supported for science.
- Russell may have also influenced Skinner's shift towards a selectionist, three-term contingency model of behavior.
Conclusions:
- Bertrand Russell played a significant, albeit complex, role in shaping B. F. Skinner's behaviorist theories.
- The intellectual trajectory of Skinner shows a departure from, as well as an initial alignment with, Russell's philosophical stances.
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