Beyond Freedom and Dignity

Why is behaviorism controversial? Is the concept of free will more harmful or beneficial to society? Support your answer with examples from the text or from external sources.

Why are freedom and dignity important social constructs? How are ideas of freedom and dignity disseminated among the general public? How do these concepts inhibit a technology of behavior?

Examine the analogy between cultural and biological evolution. How are the processes similar? How are they different? How do analogies and other literary devices impact the digestibility of the text?

How do the limitations of language impact Skinner’s discussion? How does language limitation impact science literacy and the gap between the science community and the general public?

How do interchanging words such as “good” and “right” impact ethical perceptions, and why does Skinner warn against the term “growth” for cultural evolution?

Discuss the sex bias prevalent in Beyond Freedom and Dignity. How do Skinner’s linguistic choices and his examples perpetuate the male-as-normal narrative? How does the sex bias impact the credibility and objectivity of the text?

In his discussions, Skinner responds to criticism by Joseph Wood Krutch. Using external resources, explore Krutch’s professional background and his criticism of Skinner’s work. On what points does Krutch disagree with Skinner? Why? Is Skinner or is Krutch’s philosophy more relevant today?

Using external resources and excerpts from the text, explain why Beyond Freedom and Dignity is considered controversial.