Nate Edwards 11-22-04 Period 1 Walden Two In B. F. Skinner’s Walden Two, Skinner presents many positive changes to society in his utopia, such as: division of labor, encouragement of perusing your own interests in education, and absolute equality. In Walden Two, a member is paid in credits that are required by the society. Each person earns a certain amount of credits per hour for every job they do.
Everyone is expected to work to receive 4-6 credits for one day. The amount of credits-per-hour depends on the job. A more physically demanding or unpleasant job would receive more points then something less taxing. This is an effective way or contracting society because it has people work enough to get the necessary work done to drive the society without overworking and tapping out the worker. When Castle and Frazier discuss whether a community can survive on such little work, we understand that the people who are working are working with intent and without distractions and not under distracting supervision. It is also useful because it allows people to choose how to spend their time.
If they would like to get their work down quickly by doing a more challenging job, that is their choice and they are not being made to do so. This also allows people to freely move around with jobs. They are not locked into one job for the rest of their life. If they do not like it, they can sign up for a new job tomorrow. This allows you to pursue your interests without inhibitions. The education system in Walden Two is characterized but complete independent study based on someone’s particular interests.
When a child reaches high school they study when, what and for how long according to what they want. It is completely student driven and allows the students motivation to be the driving force for study. This is the opposite of today’s student who is driven by fear of failure, parents, and competition, as stated by Frazier. Since they will not be learning to become a high paying professional, they are learning for the sake of knowledge. This becomes something that is highly prized and children are motivated by to gain for themselves. It is important because it translate into other parts of their life; they do things for their own interest producing an all around happier individual and therefore a more productive whole.
The happiness of a productive society member can also be attributed to equality of all society members. Arguably the most enticing component to the Walden Two society is its belief in complete equality for all within the community. There is no distinction between men and women, they are all allowed to do their own work and live as they please. Work is not chosen because this is what a certain “type” of person should do (e. g. women should be n the kitchen etc.
), but are rather selected for the job itself. They are driven to work for themselves and study for themselves. No one is denied or segregated for any reason. Managers and Planners, people who may be considered above other members of Walden, are still required to do physical labor and are not seen as any better or worse then any else.
They just serve a different role to the whole. In the society, everyone is need for it to run smoothly, so to discriminate against someone would be to screw yourself over. Also, since competition of every kind is eliminated in this community, people do not feel the need to be superior to one another (a key piece of any form of discrimination. ) Equality, self-driven education and the division of labor all make Walden Two an appealing society.
It is because of these beliefs that the society holds that make one crave it. A person is still in control of their identity, but must serve to the whole. Some may call it communistic, but it has one advantage; in communism you have a dictating government, something Walden Two lacks. There is no leading government to become corrupt. The society is the people and is directed by the people.
Planners, Managers and Frazier may advise and steer the society in a positive direction, but they have no rule over other people. The behavioral conditioning, for example when the children are told to wear lollipops and if they wait for the end of the day to eat it they can eat the whole thing, but if they lick it at all it is taken away, teaches the non-important ance of instant gratification. That is to say, a person will be happier once they learn that instant gratification is not a necessity to their life. There are many lessons to be learned from Walden Two, all of them allowing for a person to become the most productive and intelligent individual they can be completely stemming from happiness.