The Role of "Private Events" in a Natural Science of Behavior

This presentation considers B. F. Skinner’s notion of private events in the science of behavior. In doing so the aims of natural sciences are described, especially the careful derivation of scientific constructs from contacts with events. Moreover, both dualism and reductionism are considered, underscoring the many ways in which both harm the aims and progress of natural sciences. It is argued that notions of “private events” fall short of our natural science aims in behavior analysis, and prevent progress in important areas. An alternative conceptualization of “private events” is described, whereby private events are considered wholly observable, public phenomena and available for scientific investigation. The implications of adopting this alternative for the science of behavior are discussed.