Science and Philosophy of Behavior

Rediscover the science and philosophy of behavior

In Science and Philosophy of Behavior: Selected Papers, distinguished researcher W. M. Baum delivers an expansive collection of incisive papers setting out a new paradigm of thinking about behavior. The book offers only articles that put forward a philosophical and theoretical framework for an effective natural science of behavior. Quantitative analysis is largely avoided (except for a paper on, of all things, avoidance).

Organized into three parts, the author explains the flow-like nature of behavior and its link to evolution, as well as descriptions of a pure form of behaviorism that correct some flaws in B.F. Skinner's seminal works. The book also links behaviorism to anthropology in its final section.

Readers will also find:

• Fulsome descriptions of the molar nature of behavior and why the molecular view is misguided
• Re-imaginations of the concept of reinforcement, including considerations of allocation, induction, and contingency
• Explorations of the links between behavior analysis and Darwinian evolutionary processes

An essential critique—and reorganization—of behavior theory and philosophy, Science and Philosophy of Behavior: Selected Papers is a controversial, fascinating, and eye-opening journey through a half-century of transformational work in the field.