Better Living through Behaviorism

Let's jive.

Stimulus: Good evening.
Response: It is a good evening, isn't it?

Now it is plain that this Response is, in fact, reciprocating a stimulus right back. I hereby illustrate this, color coding each speaker.

Stimulus: It is a good evening, isn't it?
Response: Yes, it is a good evening, and it was a beautiful day, also.

Stimulus: Yes, it is a good evening, and it was a beautiful day, also.

Response: It was a good day, wasn't it?

Stimulus: It was a good day, wasn't it?
Response: Indeed, and how good do you suppose it was?

Stimulus: Indeed, and how good do you suppose it was?
Response: Well, it exhibited cool and pleasant temperatures, and a grey, overcast sky.

Stimulus: Well, it exhibited cool and pleasant temperatures, and a grey, overcast sky.
Response: So what does this indicate about its goodness?

Stimulus: So what does this indicate about its goodness?
Response: Nothing but that the day was stimulated to behave as it did.

Stimulus: Nothing but that the day was stimulated to behave as it did.

Response: Then why do you say the day was good?

Stimulus: Then why do you say the day was good?
Response: You stimulated me to say it.

Stimulus: You stimulated me to say it.

Response: I think I understand.

Stimulus: I think I understand.
Response: I do not see that you "understand."

Stimulus: I do not see that you "understand."

Response: How would you see that I understand?

Stimulus: How would you see that I understand?
Response: You would behave accordingly.

Stimulus: You would behave accordingly.
Response: How would I, understanding, behave?

Stimulus: How would I, understanding behave?
Response: Do not "trouble" me with absurd questions about inner states.

Stimulus: Do not "trouble" me with absurd questions about inner states.
Response: I do not understand.

Stimulus: I do not understand.
Response: Exactly.

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Now behave.