Naour E.O. Wilson and B.F. Skinner

A Dialogue Between Sociobiology and Radical Behaviorism
1. Auflage 2009
ISBN: 978-0-387-89462-1
Verlag: Springer
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: 1 - PDF Watermark

E-Book, Englisch, 138 Seiten

Reihe: Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects

Reviewers have characterized Paul Naour's A Dialogue Between Sociobiology and Radical Behaviorism, which includes brief introductions by E.O. Wilson and B.F. Skinner's elder daughter, Julie Vargus, as an idea book. The work will undoubtedly have a significant academic market and provide students and scholars in biology, ethology, psychology, anthropology, sociology and economics a strong foundation in twentieth century history and systems. Praise for A Dialogue Between Sociobiology and Radical Behaviorism: - E.O. Wilson says of the book: '. . . excellent, an outstanding addition to the history of ideas. It will put Fred Skinner back in the pantheon and, providing context, serve as an excellent introduction to the content and central truths in radical behaviorism. Needless to say, I'm also grateful to have my work following Sociobiology given proper attention.' -David Sloan Wilson, author of Darwin's Cathedral writes: 'E.O. Wilson and B.F. Skinner agreed that the human capacity for change is both a product of genetic evolution and an evolutionary process in its own right. Yet, the paradigms of sociobiology and radical behaviorism went in very different directions. Paul Naour's insightful analysis of a taped conversation between Wilson and Skinner goes beyond the historical significance of the conversation and helps to integrate the two paradigms for the future.' -Carl Haywood writes: 'The present question is whether evolution by natural selection is a useful set of concepts for the development of psychology.  Naour's proposed confluence of radical behaviorism and sociobiology suggests not only that it is, but also that radical behaviorism shares with sociobiology a debt and an allegiance to Darwinism.'

Autoren/Hrsg.

Naour, Paul

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1;Prologue;7
2;Contents;13
3;Introduction;15
4;1 "Selection by Consequences": The Essential B.F. Skinner;18
4.1;1.1 The Behavioral Century;19
4.2;1.2 Skinners New Paradigm;24
4.3;1.3 The Vocabulary of Operant Conditioning;25
4.4;1.4 Reinforcers, Cues, and Operant Shaping;26
4.5;1.5 Beyond a Technology of Behavior;30
4.6;1.6 Selection by Consequences;32
5;2 Human Sociobiology: The Essential E.O. Wilson;37
5.1;2.1 The HMS Beagle to the Modern Synthesis;39
5.2;2.2 Sociobiology and the New Synthesis;43
5.3;2.3 Human Sociobiology;46
5.4;2.4 Gene-Culture Coevolution;49
5.5;2.5 Additional Considerations;53
5.6;2.6 Consilience;55
6;3 A Consilient View of B.F. Skinner and E.O. Wilson: The Operant Foundation of Sociobiology;59
6.1;3.1 Radical Behaviorism;62
6.2;3.2 Aligning Skinner and Wilson;66
6.3;3.3 The Dilemma of Free Will;70
6.4;3.4 Language and Culture;72
6.5;3.5 Units of Culture;73
6.6;3.6 Culturgens and Epigenesis;73
6.7;3.7 The Operant Basis of Sociobiology;75
6.8;3.8 A Conversation;76
7; 4 Conversation Between B.F. Skinner and E.O. Wilson;77
7.1;4.1 Notes;95
8; 5 To What Beginning?;102
8.1;5.1 Skinners Technology of Behavior;103
8.2;5.2 Wilsons Consilient Worldview;104
9;6 The Challenge: A More Integrated Approach to Human Nature;107
9.1;6.1 Skinner and Wilson;108
9.2;6.2 Enlarging the Conversation;109
9.3;6.3 Mirror Neurons and Imitation;112
9.4;6.4 Developmental Plasticity and Evolution;114
9.5;6.5 Rational Behaviorism and Emergents;116
9.6;6.6 Final Thoughts;120
10;Epilogue: Some Historical Notes and Indications of the Future;121
10.1;6.1 The Position of Darwinism in Contemporary Psychology;108
10.2;6.1 Problems with the Concept of Reinforcement;109
10.3;6.1 Rational Behaviorism as the Next Step;112
10.4;6.1 Sneaking Up on Cognitivism;114
10.5;6.1 Twentieth Century Cognitivists;116
10.6;6.1 A More Useful View of Reinforcement;120
10.7;6.1 Rational Behaviorism and the Future;128
10.8;6.1 Acknowledgments;130
11;Acknowledgments;130
12;Glossary;132
13;Bibliography;142
14;Index;147