{"product_id":"the-explanation-of-behaviour-routledge-classics-essential-critique","title":"The Explanation of Behaviour (Routledge Classics) - Essential critique","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of The Explanation of Behaviour the bottom line is clear: this is a foundational text for readers who want a rigorous philosophical challenge to behaviourism and a deeper account of what makes human action intelligible. Charles Taylor's first book combines piercing criticism with constructive insight, arguing that humans are embodied, minded agents with purposes, plans and goals rather than mere stimulus-response machines. For students of philosophy, psychology, or intellectual history the book rewards close reading by restoring purposive explanation to centre stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical significance:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book stands as Charles Taylor's first major work and marks an important moment in debates about behaviourism, showing why older reductionist accounts fall short.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePhilosophical anthropology:\u003c\/strong\u003e Taylor argues for understanding human beings as embodied and minded creatures, which helps readers appreciate explanations that appeal to intentions and goals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCritique of reductionism:\u003c\/strong\u003e The text systematically exposes limitations of scientific, behaviourist explanations, encouraging more nuanced interpretive approaches.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAttention to non-human animals:\u003c\/strong\u003e Taylor gives a notable place to animals by treating their needs, desires and emotions as relevant to comparative understanding of behaviour.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact, influential argument:\u003c\/strong\u003e As a concise early work it delivers concentrated reasoning that influenced later debates in philosophy and social sciences.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis edition is best for philosophy undergraduates, graduate students, and intellectually curious readers interested in the history of ideas about action and mind. It suits those preparing seminars on behaviourism, philosophy of mind, or philosophical anthropology who need a primary source that challenges mechanistic explanations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a modern textbook introduction to cognitive science, empirical methods, or up-to-date neuroscience should look elsewhere for technical detail, since Taylor's concerns are conceptual and historical rather than methodological or experimental.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClear, forceful critique that re-centres purposive explanation in thinking about human behaviour.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvides valuable historical perspective on behaviourism and the mid-20th century debates in philosophy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncorporates consideration of non-human animals, widening the book's relevance for comparative questions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot a modern textbook: readers looking for contemporary empirical research or neuroscience will find the treatment conceptual rather than technical.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Explanation of Behaviour (Routledge Classics)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCharles Taylor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eArea\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePhilosophy; Philosophical anthropology; History of ideas\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMain focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCritique of behaviourism and defence of purposive explanation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNotable theme\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEmphasis on embodied mind, purposes, plans and animal emotions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAudience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStudents and readers of philosophy and social sciences\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCharles Taylor's early work remains a compact and influential corrective to reductionist accounts of action. Those seeking a thoughtful, historical and conceptual critique of behaviourism will find strong value here; it repays careful study and is a worthwhile addition to any philosophy or social theory reading list.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a modern textbook on psychology?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. The book is a philosophical and historical critique of behaviourism rather than a contemporary empirical textbook.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes Taylor discuss animals?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. He gives non-human animals a central place by addressing their needs, desires and emotions in comparative explanation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho benefits most from reading it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePhilosophy students and readers interested in the foundations of action theory and critiques of reductionism benefit most.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Charles Taylor","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48255785304283,"sku":"0367705222","price":114.94,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/71HptDWpbvS._SL1500.jpg?v=1770961976","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/the-explanation-of-behaviour-routledge-classics-essential-critique","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}