Final Thoughts on Walden World.

Firstly, like Jeff, I thought this was a very interesting book with a lot to talk about. I really did enjoy reading it.

I believe the central idea that one must accept in order for Walden Two to be possible is the concept of control. You must accept determinism. Everything a person does can be traced back to the behavioral attributes of that person, however difficult it may be to predict these actions/instincts. This is how Frazier justifies himself in taking liberties to create a society where individuals are molded to behave in accordance with his vision of happiness and progress. Evil is simply the product of a competitive culture and is not innate. If people are appropriately "engineered" then all of the ways that evil can be expressed dissolve and become foreign.

I just don't buy it. As interesting as it all seems. I really love Frazier's character, but I find that he often contradicts himself. He never misleads, though he admits to misrepresentation in Walden Two's church-like services, or observances of the "Code". Also, on page 104 Frazier states, "We never administer an unpleasantness in the hope of repressing or eliminating undesirable behavior." This quote comes shortly after Frazier explains his behavior shaping method of the children having to wait before eating their meals. This exercise is used to bolster patience and is surely unpleasant, at least at first. In fact it is precisely because it is unpleasant that the virtue or patience is needed!

Finally, I disagree with Skinner's idea of love. He apparently thinks of love as a natural occurrence that will continue to endure, if given the proper conditions. However, all I see in this society is the careful avoidance of love and emotion. Love is some sort of vague appreciation for the community as whole, and actual loving actions between individuals is absent.

David