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Behavioral Pragmatism: Making A Place for Reality and Truth.

Ted Schoneberger¹

¹Kohala Educational Services, Waikoloa, HI USA.

The Behavior Analyst

|January 25, 2020

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Behavioral pragmatism (BP) challenges realism and truth correspondence, offering nonrealism and pragmatic truth criteria. This analysis explores BP, metaphysical realism, and Rortian pragmatism to resolve disputes threatening radical behaviorism.

Keywords:

Barnes-Holmes Behavioral pragmatism Correspondence theory of truth Metaphysical realism Pragmatic truth criterion Richard Rorty Rortian pragmatism

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Area of Science:

Behavioral Science
Philosophy of Science
Behavior Analysis

Background:

Behavioral pragmatism (BP) challenges metaphysical realism and the correspondence theory of truth (CTT).
Many behavior analysts adhere to realism and CTT, often using different terminology.
BP's concepts of reality and truth are gaining prominence through Relational Frame Theory.

Purpose of the Study:

To address the realism/pragmatism dispute and its threat to radical behaviorism's coherence.
To present differing conceptions of reality and truth in metaphysical realism, BP, and Rortian pragmatism (RP).
To propose modifications to BP using RP insights to narrow the realism/pragmatism divide.

Main Methods:

Comparative analysis of metaphysical realism, behavioral pragmatism, and Rortian pragmatism.
Philosophical argumentation regarding the coherence of radical behaviorism.
Development of proposals for modifying behavioral pragmatism based on Rortian pragmatism.

Main Results:

Identified a conflict between metaphysical realism and behavioral pragmatism.
Detailed the distinct philosophical underpinnings of each perspective on reality and truth.
Offered specific, actionable proposals for integrating Rortian pragmatism with behavioral pragmatism.

Conclusions:

Resolving the realism/pragmatism dispute is crucial for the coherence of radical behaviorism.
Rortian pragmatism offers a viable framework for refining behavioral pragmatism.
Proposed modifications can bridge the gap between realism and pragmatism in behavior analysis.