1. B.F. Skinner’s Skinnerian view of phenomena is rooted in radical behaviorism, the idea that psychology should study only observable behaviors and their environmental consequences, rejecting the study of internal mental states such as thoughts, feelings, or motivations.
- The following video provides an introduction for those who are not familiar with his ideas.
2. At a superficial level, Skinner’s ideas are compatible with the teachings of the Buddha. However, as stated above, he seems to have rejected the study of internal mental states such as thoughts, feelings, or motivations.
- B.F.Skinner based his conclusions on the behavior of animals under rewards and punishments.
- Recent studies by Dr. Jeffrey Schwartz extend such examinations to humans. See “How Habits are Formed and Broken – A Scientific View.”
- Also see “The Law of Attraction, Habits, Character (Gati), and Cravings (Āsavas)“ and “Habits, Goals, and Character (Gati)“
3. Buddha’s teachings go deeper into the root causes of such behavior.
- Internal mental states, such as thoughts, feelings, or motivations, underlie one’s actions, speech, and conduct in general.
- The studies of Skinner and Schwartz consider only the influence of one’s environment on one’s behavior. Those do play a significant role. However, until one’s mental states are changed permanently, such changes are temporary.
- For example, a child brought up to be a ‘good, moral person’ in a ‘moral family’ could start associating with immoral people and change, or vice versa.
- In other words, one’s character (gati, pronounced ‘gathi’) must be changed permanently for such changes to take hold.
We can continue the discussion, based on your thoughts after you read the references in #2.