Behaviourism is the view that we gain knowledge of an individual’s mental state by observing their behaviour, which includes the way they act generally, what they may verbally reply during some events and how an individual overall reacts in social situations. In this essay, I will be defending behaviourism against the Geach-Chishold objection which states that mental states are in fact not connected to behaviours. Each mental state has its own identity that can be linked to any type of behaviour, and it is not necessary that one mental state will link to just one behaviour for every mind. Behaviourism consists of three claims about the mental state which include the epistemological claim, the semantic claim and the metaphysical claim (61-62).
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According to the Geach-Chishold objection theory, different kinds of mental states must be connected to different types of behaviours (70). For instance, when an individual is in a mental state of happiness, according to behaviourism, they must be smiling, however according to the Geach-Chishold objection theory, it is not necessary for all minds to think alike, and thus in a mental state of happiness all minds are not always smiling. Furthermore, as stated by the Geach-Chishold objection theory, belief is a mental state that can affect behaviours. Such as, if a mind believes that water is dangerous, then that individual will have a different behaviour reaction compared another mind that believes water is not …show more content…
There are many situations in which different minds go through the same exact mental state, but show little to no reaction due to their personalities or their experiences. On the other hand, the Geach-Chishold objection theory illustrates that mental states and behaviours are linked in different ways in all minds. Such as, in a time of sadness one may express a frown, although, someone else may not show any reaction at all. Although, I believe according to a mind’s experiences, they may have different levels of expressions and behaviours. Such as, a mind that has already been through a series of rough times may have adapted to the ability of no showing any facial expression, but subconsciously, they are in sorrow and grief. Additionally, those who have not encountered a mental state of sadness before may be prone to showing how they feel according to the way they act around others. In this paper, I have defended the claim that in behaviourism, mental states and behaviours are linked together, as these behaviours help us gain knowledge of an individual’s mental state; as for one criticism against behaviourism is the Geach-Chishold objection theory which argues why mental states and behaviours cannot be linked together for all kinds of
According to the Geach-Chishold objection theory, different kinds of mental states must be connected to different types of behaviours (70). For instance, when an individual is in a mental state of happiness, according to behaviourism, they must be smiling, however according to the Geach-Chishold objection theory, it is not necessary for all minds to think alike, and thus in a mental state of happiness all minds are not always smiling. Furthermore, as stated by the Geach-Chishold objection theory, belief is a mental state that can affect behaviours. Such as, if a mind believes that water is dangerous, then that individual will have a different behaviour reaction compared another mind that believes water is not …show more content…
There are many situations in which different minds go through the same exact mental state, but show little to no reaction due to their personalities or their experiences. On the other hand, the Geach-Chishold objection theory illustrates that mental states and behaviours are linked in different ways in all minds. Such as, in a time of sadness one may express a frown, although, someone else may not show any reaction at all. Although, I believe according to a mind’s experiences, they may have different levels of expressions and behaviours. Such as, a mind that has already been through a series of rough times may have adapted to the ability of no showing any facial expression, but subconsciously, they are in sorrow and grief. Additionally, those who have not encountered a mental state of sadness before may be prone to showing how they feel according to the way they act around others. In this paper, I have defended the claim that in behaviourism, mental states and behaviours are linked together, as these behaviours help us gain knowledge of an individual’s mental state; as for one criticism against behaviourism is the Geach-Chishold objection theory which argues why mental states and behaviours cannot be linked together for all kinds of