[Martin Taylor 960111 16:00]
Rick Marken (960111.1245)
Please forgive me for giving in to temptation ...
For behavior of the sort we deal with, I'd say the theory that
applies when PCT fails (that is, the theory that applies when The Test
reveals that no control is involved in a behavior) is the best current
physical theory of the behavior.
...
There are many behaviors -- like falling off a garage at 32 ft/sec^2 -- that
don't involve control. We usually don't call these events "behaviors", I
think, because we typically use this word, especially in the context of
discussions of living organisms, to refer only to "intentionally produced
results of action". People (notably behavioristic people) might not care for
this restrictive definition of "behavior" but I think this is the way the
word is used in practice.
1a. "See, I can fly off this garage."
1b. "Ooof. Owww."
The reference perception is for the jumper to perceive himself flapping
through the air, and the flapping is intended to bring the actual perception
to its reference. It fails, of course, but so do many actions intended to
effect control of various perceptions.
Failure of an action to achieve its intended result is not sufficient, I
think, to remove it from the class "behaviour." I think flapping one's
way off a garage roof belongs, with much else, to the class "stupid
behaviour" or "LSD-affected behaviour."
we typically use this word, especially in the context of
discussions of living organisms, to refer only to "intentionally produced
results of action".
Yes, non-living organisms _do_ have trouble in this respect. Although we have
in the past used the term "behaviour" in reference to one or two politicians.
Even when they are alive, the results of their actions are seldom intentionally
produced.
2a. "I can't stand your behaviour...always leaving the bedclothes messed up"
2b. "Oh, do I?"
My leaving the bedclothes messed up is W-behaviour, but not R-behaviour,
where W = wife, R = Rick. Whose practice are we talking about?
People SEE the side effects of the actions that we use for perceptual
control, to just the same extent as, or probably to a greater extent than,
the "intentionally produced results of action" which often amount to
opposing change that would otherwise occur. Those side effects are just
as much part of the way the word is used in everyday practice as are the
PCT-restricted subset of effects.
Sorry. Just a little late-afternoon silliness. Not "behaviour" at all.
Martin