From Bob Clark (931023 5:45 pm EDT)
BILL POWERS (931015.1015 MDT)
Yes, Bill, by "behaviors" I do mean "what one can see other people
doing." And I think that most people would use the word the same way.
You go on from there, Bill, to discuss, or touch upon, about 17
topics for further discussion. Rather than considering all of them,
I offer a few comments on some of them.
Skills.
One of your topics concerned my use of the word "Skills." Apparently
the names I chose for certain combinations of variables were poorly
selected. I used "Skills" with modifiers for three separate
applications. I wasn't fully satisfied with these names at the time,
but I thought they might be sufficient for designating the concepts.
Perhaps someone else can come up with better terms for these concepts.
Viewpoints.
One of the more important topics in your post related to
"viewpoints." In several places you seem to recognize that more than
one viewpoint is possible, and you state:
I definitely do not believe that one viewpoint is just as good as
another: the whole point of experimentation is to discover which
viewpoint fits the results the best.
Bill, I, too, "do not believe one viewpoint is just as good as
another." To me, the choice depends on the purpose for which the
viewpoint is selected -- the criteria by which experimental results
are to be evaluated. In some situations, there is more than one
valid and appropriate viewpoint. For example, those viewing a
display of paintings as "observers" have their own criteria for which
they "like" or "understand" the various displays. Those who painted
them had different criteria for selecting designs, combining colors
and the like. Those who manufactured the materials were also
concerned with such matters as product reproducibility. Each
viewpoint, and others as well, is valid. Here there is no one
"correct" viewpoint. The purposes of the individual in question
determine the preferred viewpoint.
Your Viewpoint.
Bill, in "DEMO X, ENDING," I listed five viewpoints. More are
certainly possible. Which of these is yours? Or, if none, how would
you define your Viewpoint? From my knowledge of you and your
writing, I can draw my own conclusions, but your view of yourself may
well differ from my inferences in ways that are important to us both.
My Viewpoint -- Description.
To me, a Viewpoint provides the basis, or orientation, for describing
perceivable sensations, situations, events etc. Therefore my
viewpoint changes as my purposes change.
Experimentation.
You refer to need for "experimentation" in a couple of places. I
certainly agree with this "viewpoint." I used it in "DEMO III,
DISCUSSION." The Portable Demonstrator can be regarded as a form of
experimentation. It can also be regarded as a kind of "model." Like
other forms of experiment, it can help establish a verbal structure
for discussion and other communications about behavior.
Hierarchical Principle.
You suggest:
Then you had better say "a" hierarchical principle, because it is
not the same one I use.
I have tried to use the same principle as stated in BCP p 284. If it
is not the same, please point out the differences. If I have
misunderstood, or otherwise failed to apply this Principle, please
point out my error(s).
Not Final.
Just as you have stated in various places, I, too, do not consider
the viewpoints, descriptions, interpretations etc I have presented to
be either complete, fully worked out, or unchangeable. I see many
places for additions, revisions, modifications and improvements. I
hope that other people will offer their suggestions. In no way do I
regard my suggestions as "final."
Regards, Bob Clark