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Beyond what “is” and what “is-not”

APA Citation

Szabo, T. G., & Tarbox, J. (2015). Beyond what “is” and what “is-not.” Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 4, 220–224. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2015.05.005

 

Publication Topic
Contextualism
Contextual Methodology and Scientific Strategy
Publication Type
Article
Language
English
Keyword(s)
Ontology; a-ontological; Behavior analysis; Contextual behavior science
Abstract

Functional contextualism is a philosophy of science that maintains a notable silence on issues pertaining to philosophical ontology. Presumably, this is because ontological statements are not needed for successful working within functional contextualist scientific activities, such as behavioral research and practice. While this position is sound within the philosophical system of functional contextualism, it may appear bizarre to outside practitioners and scholars, with the effect of creating barriers to interdisciplinary collaboration. We propose that, as pragmatists, functional contextualists can adopt ontological language in particular contexts of interdisciplinary collaboration for the purposes of working more successfully with others. In this paper, we briefly describe this position and discuss hypothetical and real examples of potentially more-fruitful and less-fruitful examples of ontological speaking.

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