Behaviorism and value ethics

Greetings...
Announcing the newly released synthesis uniting the fields
of behavioral psychology and value ethics.
Here the instinctual terminology of operant conditioning pro-
vides an elementary foundation for a subjective hierarchy of the
traditional groupings of virtues, values, and ideals: an
innovation based upon a primary set of instinctual terms:
namely, rewards-leniency-appetite-aversion. These behavioral
terms, in turn, provide the foundation for the higher linguistic
hierarchy characterizing the virtuous realm: an innovation
further organized as a hierarchy of metaperspectives - an
ascending sequence of personal, group, spiritual, humanitarian,
and transcendental power levels, specialized into both authority
and follower roles. The respective incorporation of individual
terms is partially depicted below...

Solicitousness . Rewards ... Submission . Leniency
Nostalgia . . H-Worship ......... Guilt . Blame
Glory . . . . Prudence .......... Honor . Justice
Providence . . Faith .......... Liberty . Hope
Grace . . . . Beauty ........ Free-will . Truth
Tranquility . Ecstasy ........ Equality . Bliss

Appetite . + Reinforce....... Aversion . Neg. Reinforce.
Desire . . Approval ............ Worry . Concern
Dignity . Temperance ...... Integrity . Fortitude
Civility . Charity ............... Austerity . Decency
Magnanim . Goodness .... Equanimity . Wisdom
Love . . Joy ....................... Peace . Harmony

Furthermore, the behavioral terminology for punishment serves as
the foundation for the darker realm of the vices of defect, a
mirror-image reflection of the virtuous mode, with the exception
that punishment discourages behaviors judged not suitably
solicitous or submissive: as partially portrayed below..

No Solicitous. No Rewards.. No Submissive . No Leniency
Laziness . Treachery ......... Negligence . Vindictiveness
Infamy . Insurgency ............ Dishonor . Vengeance
Prodigal . Betrayal ............. Slavery . Despair
Wrath . Ugliness ................ Tyranny . Hypocrisy
Anger . Abomination ........... Prejudice . Perdition

No Appetite . Punishment ... No Aversion . Punishment
Apathy . Spite ....................Indifference . Malice
Foolish . Gluttony ............. Caprice . Cowardice
Vulgarity . Avarice ............ Cruelty . Antagonism
Oppression . Evil .......... Persecution . Cunning
Hatred . Iniquity ......... Belligerence . Turpitude

In summary, the instrumental form of conditioning represents
an instinctual legacy shared in common with the rest of the
animal kingdom. This behavioral foundation, in turn, permits
support for the linguistic hierarchy of motivational terms, an
innovation permitted through the symbolism of the human
speech lexicon. Indeed, mankind's transition to an urban culture
lead to the development of the higher traditions of virtues and
values crucial for maintaining social order, as systematized
within the language tradition. For instance, the tradition of
the cardinal virtues was championed by the Greek
philosopher Plato to define the social stratification within the
Greek city-state of his day. Furthermore, the attendant spiritual
and humanitarian traditions celebrated timeless themes: such as
the classical Greek values and humanistic values. Ultimately, a
mystical tradition emerges, as expressed in the crowning set of
mystical values (ecstasy-bliss-joy-harmony). What lies beyond
this final nameable realm of mysticism remains open to debate,
described only as the "supernatural" domain, permitting the
potential for a "top-down" pattern of influence as well.

A complete listing of ethical terms is posted at:
www.angelfire.com/rnb/fairhaven/Masterdiagram.html

A more detailed treatment is also posted at:

www.angelfire.com/rnb/fairhaven/behaviorism.html
www.charactervalues.com

Sincerely
John E. LaMuth - M. S.
fax: 586-314-5960
http://www.ethicalvalues.com

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Replies:

Re:Behaviorism and value ethics, by FG and Cindy, 11/28/03 Re:Behaviorism and value ethics, by , 11/30/03 Re:Behaviorism and value ethics, by FG and Cindy, 12/09/03

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