46 pages • 1 hour read
B. F. SkinnerBeyond Freedom and Dignity
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1971A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Beyond Freedom and Dignity by B. F. Skinner, the author argues that human behavior is determined by environmental and physiological factors, proposing a technology of behavior to address social issues like overpopulation and violence by scientifically modifying behavior. He critiques concepts of freedom and dignity as obstacles to this approach and suggests that society should be redesigned through positive reinforcement rather than punishment. The book contains outdated and offensive language and beliefs.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
B. F. Skinner's Beyond Freedom and Dignity sparks both admiration and criticism. Praised for its thought-provoking insights on behaviorism and the potential of scientific control to improve society, it is also criticized for its perceived reductionism and dismissal of free will. The book remains influential but controversial in its challenge to traditional human values.
Who Should Read Beyond Freedom and Dignity?
A reader who enjoys Beyond Freedom and Dignity by B. F. Skinner is likely interested in psychology, behaviorism, and theories of human behavior. Comparable works include Skinner's own Walden Two and Viktor E. Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning. Ideal for those curious about the influence of environment over free will.