June 28, 2016

June 28, 2016 

Written by Maximus Peperkamp, M.S. Behavioral Engineer

Dear Reader,

This is my thirteenth response to “Epistemological Barriers to Radical Behaviorism” by Donohue et al. (1998). I can’t believe that this is my thirteenth response to this paper. It gives me a lot to think and write about. As I have previously stated,  the “Epistemological  Barriers to Radical Behaviorism” are more effectively addressed as epistemological barriers to science as such. However, the biggest hindrance to the sciences is not, as the authors suggest, folk psychology, but religion. 

We have done a dismal job educating people about science. This has produced a common half-heartedness; in spite of many scientific advances and benefits most people continue to have and to support superstitions. As long as this bigger issue is not properly addressed, the “Epistemological Barriers to Radical Behaviorism” will remain. 

One thing is clear: the confrontation between religious beliefs (or folk psychology for that matter) and science hasn’t worked. A new strategy is needed which focuses only increasing scientific behavior and puts religious behavior on an extinction schedule. However, this is only going to be accomplished if we are able to change the way in which we talk.

As long as we remain uneducated about what is needed to create and maintain Sound Verbal Behavior (SVB), ongoing conversation which only generates positive emotions, we will continue to have Noxious Verbal Behavior (NVB) and generate negative emotions out of ignorance.  

Unless we learn to have ongoing SVB, our interaction is derailed by our superstition which is emboldened by our science. Whether mankind becomes more scientific on not will be determined by SVB, but NVB will, as it has always done, continue to promote pre-scientific beliefs.