Behaviorism and Christianity

by Gordon H. Clark

Os frequentadores de igreja contemporâneos são em grande medida fisicalistas, se não inteiramente materialistas. Foram tão influenciados pelo naturalismo e pelo behaviorismo que na verdade creem que cérebros podem estômagos digerem, fígados secretam e cérebros pensam. Para eles, os argumentos deste livro serão chocantes. Mas a teologia não requer cérebros; requer uma mente ou espírito; e o behaviorismo, sendo ou não chamado de cristão, é uma negação do evangelho.

Genres: Theology, Philosophy, Psychology, Religion

Paperback

First published June 1, 1982

About the author

Gordon Haddon Clark was an American philosopher and Calvinist theologian. He was a primary advocate for the idea of presuppositional apologetics and was chairman of the Philosophy Department at Butler University for 28 years. He was an expert in pre-Socratic and ancient philosophy and was noted for his rigor in defending propositional revelation against all forms of empiricism and rationalism, in arguing that all truth is propositional and in applying the laws of logic. His system of philosophy is sometimes called Scripturalism.

The Trinty Foundation continues to publish his writings.

Reviews

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A FAMED CALVINIST PHILOSOPHER/APOLOGIST CRITIQUES WATSON, SKINNER, ETC..

Gordon Haddon Clark (1902-1985) was an American philosopher and Calvinist theologian, who was chairman of the Philosophy Department at Butler University for 28 years.

He begins the book by stating, "the subject of this monograph is Behaviorism. The outline in its briefest form will be (1) the basic position of behaviorism will be expounded by its secular proponents. Some objections will be interspersed, but a more complete refutation will follow; and (2) the position of professedly Christian psychologists who include the same view; and (3) a Scriptural rebuttal." (Pg. 3)

He recommends that "To understand (behaviorists) aright, the ordinary reader should substitute the word 'chemistry' when he finds 'perception' or 'thought' in their writings." (Pg. 6) Later, he notes that "Obviously Skinner wants to avoid mentalism. Equally obvious is his desire to identify causes and give explanations. To do so, he says that a child eats because he FEELS hungry... he also defends his use of the words, 'I have chosen... I have in mind... I am aware...' Whether or not he can use these mentalistic terms unambiguously remains to be seen." (Pg. 52)

Later, he observes that "Skinner appeals to 'a process called generalization' and to 'environmental history'... But he gives no hint even how the most complex chemistry can generalize." (Pg. 59) He argues forcefully, "People see red and blue. They do not see color. Yet they classify red, blue, green under the concept of color... We reject the pontifical pronouncement that 'There is no point in asking how a person can know the abstract entity called redness.' This precisely is the point." (Pg. 64)

He notes, "Skinner clearly believes that some social arrangements are good and others are bad... But if a society calls individualism moral... how can Skinner object to it? Any theory that makes social opinion normative has no basis for choosing between two opposing societies." (Pg. 67)

This is one of the best, and most detailed, Christian critiques of behaviorist psychology.

[Seth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful in pointing out the ridiculousness, i.e., irrationality, behind this philosophy. The critique of a professing Christian's (Donald MacKay) attempt to reconcile Christianity and Behaviorism is likewise helpful, but nearly unbelievable that some people are so blinded.

[bruna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5⭐ sempre soube que algo na Análise do Comportamento me incomodava... agora, entendo um pouquinho mais o(s) por quê(s). divergências teológicas à parte — o autor é calvinista —, consegui extrair bastante conteúdo da leitura :)