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B F Skinner's Assertions Of Behaviorism

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In this scathing critique of B.F. Skinner’s assertions of behaviorism as described in his book Beyond Freedom and Dignity, Chomsky (1971) lays out his arguments against the scientific status and methods Skinner purports as evidence for his philosophy of human behavior. Specifically, Chomsky (1971) declares Skinner’s claims that science will prove humans are controlled by their environment and that autonomy is illusionary dissolve when put under scrutiny and analysis. He accuses Skinner of fitting the science to the belief rather than allowing science to discover the truth, whatever that truth may be. Chomsky also attempts to make clear his critique does not necessarily extend to other behaviorists or behavior science, but rather to Skinner’s lack of scientific explanation. He sarcastically states, “A person who claims that he has a behavioral technology that will solve the world’s problems and a science of behavior that both supports it and reveals the factors determining human behavior is required to demonstrate nothing” (p. 5). …show more content…
Additionally, he dismisses Skinner’s claims that because of persuasion (soft control) and reinforcement (strong control) autonomy is not of human choice but rather an environmental control. Chomsky (1971) calls this assertion irrelevant and empty as he is unable to offer “a particle of evidence” (p. 9). Lastly, Chomsky addresses Skinner’s design of a culture that values cultural survival over freedom and dignity. As Chomsky (1971) describes it, Skinner envisions a world so controlled and reinforced that bad behavior rarely occurs. In Chomsky’s opinion, this belief is compatible with a rigid police state. In essence, Chomsky’s criticism relegates Skinner’s science of human behavior and the fallacy of autonomy to nothing more than mere

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