"Walden Two"

Paper Summary:

The paper describes how in B.F. Skinner's "Walden Two" everyone minimizes their individual experiences, and sublimates their individualism with the intention of getting along in a supposedly peaceful and passive society. The paper asserts that this passive society is without values and is not ideal in that it has no basis in reality. The paper highlights how all vestiges of citizens' individuality are stripped away in this society and argues that this is not the solution to the problems with democracy. The paper asserts that individuality is what a healthy society is based on, and the ability to express oneself is the manifestation of the realities inherent to a democratic constitution.

From the Paper:

"This is a repressive and vague society. Right and wrong at Walden Two are conspicuous in their lack of definition. This book has taken the strong and clear moral definitions of Democracy and turned it into a vague and socialistic notion of co-existence, whereby everyone minimizes their individual experiences, and sublimates their individualism with the intention of getting along in a supposedly peaceful and passive society.
"The society is highly reactive, and makes no move to implement, impose, or shape history. This society's approach is passive, letting life and cohabitation continue in a low impact and laissez faire manner. Wrong is being individualistic, while right seems to be any sense of self worth or individuality or self importance. This society is without values, and the only value is not to impose anything on anyone else. It is also a naive society that believes that it can live without crime. It is not ideal in that it has no basis in reality."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Skinner, B. F. Walden Two. Hackett Pub Co Inc (July 31, 2005)

More papers on "Walden Two":

• Analytical Essay # 25462 : "Walden Two"
• Book Review # 120032 : "Free Will in "Walden Two"
• Essay # 17623 : "Skinner's " Walden Two"

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