Walden Two by B.F. Skinner

 

            In 1948 Skinner wrote a novel called Walden Two in which he describes a utopian rural community where his principles of behavioral psychology and “operant conditioning” are put into practice.  Skinner believed that behavior is essentially controlled by environmental reinforcers.  By rewarding certain behaviors you can increase the frequency of those behaviors occurring.  In Walden Two, everyone lives in a communal setting where children are raised by the community to have common values.  All children are rewarded through operant conditioning to be model citizens with the same belief systems.  Indeed, there is no need for coercion or forcing people to do things against they are against because everyone has been conditioned to have the same value system.  For example, because everyone is productive, people only work an average of four hours a day.  If someone chooses an unpleasant job (e.g., garbage pick-up), they might have to work only an hour that day.

            The novel centers around a visit to Walden Two taken by a psychology professor named Burris (the narrator) who is accompanied by several students and a philosophy colleague named Castle.  The visitors are shown around Walden Two by Frazier who obviously represents the ideas of Skinner.  In the assigned reading from the book Castle and Frazier argue about whether Walden Two is a “facist” controlled state or a heaven or free will and happiness.

            After reading the assigned passage (Walden Two), I want your reactions in a page or so to Walden Two.  Consider issues such as: Would such an approach be feasible? What are the advantages/disadvantages to this system? Do the members or Walden Two really have freedom or is it a “facist” place? Would you want to live there? Why or why not?