Some possible relationships between scientific conceptions of F. Bacon and B. F. Skinner
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5380/psi.v7i2.3227Keywords:
Bacon, Skinner, Radical Behaviorist EpistemologyAbstract
Many authors have been trying to identify the epistemological bases of Skinner’s Radical Behaviorism (1904-1990). One of the most important influences contained in the literature would be that of Francis Bacon’s work (1561-1626). Through means of a comparative analysis of selected texts, written by these authors, attempt was made to verify the existence, or not, of similar aspects in their conceptions of science. Three categories of comparison were established: the nature of the scientific method, the role of experimentation (programmed manipulation of measurable variables) and the purpose of scientific knowledge. Based upon these categories, common elements were identified, and used for an inductive and analytic method of investigation, importance being given to the systematic observation of nature and use of experimentation to identify regularities of the world, and also a search for rigorous and socially usable knowledge for solution of human problems and for reconstruction of life within society to ideal levels of collective well-being. Some differences in scientific propositions of the focused authors and limits of the present work are also indicated.
Keywords: Bacon; Skinner; Radical Behaviorist Epistemology.
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