Is it possible for psychologists to ever understand the valet de chambre condition soundly enough to create a utopia by engineering human behavior? This is the challenge thr take out by behavioral psychologist, B.F. mule driver in his novel, Walden devil (1948). Well written and entertaining, Walden Two is directed to the layman rather than to the professional psychologist. It concerns a fictitious intentional community of 1,000 started by one Frazier (no first arrive at or title ever mentioned) who applies the tools of behavioral modification to get hold of of Walden Two the best of all possible worlds.
Skinners technique as a propagandist is to show us Walden Two with the eyes of various outsiders who possess varying degrees of skepticism and warmth for the community. The reader can identify with one or other of these visitors depending on his own inclinations. Skinner/Frazier is provocative in his claims, on purpose so, in my opinion, as another technique in rift down resistance. The more we resist an idea, the more power it draws from our real resistance. He begins with teasers, ideas which have interest and merit on their own but which are fairly trivial and extrinsic to his telephone exchange thesis. The reader and the skeptical visitors sense he is trying to chair them up and stiffen their backs all the more.
A doctrine prof named Castle is the main bearer of resistance. Skinner looks down upon philosophy as a form of navel gazing and Castle is do an easy target. More serious reservations come from the narrator, a psychology professor named Burris. However, Burris also serves as a voice for Skinner and much conversation between him and Frazier is like an internal negotiation within Skinner, himself. The party is completed by two adolescent men and their girlfriends. The guys and one of the girls are the enthusiasts...
If you want to get a full information about our service, visit our page: How it works.
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.