Walden Two by B. F. Skinner

A reviewerby Anonymous

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April 16, 2007: Walden Two, written by B.F. Skinner in the 1940s, is a novel about the account of six people who go to visit a modern-day utopia where the advancements in science and technology have been used to create a society transcending that of modern culture through its harmony, unity, and happiness. The main character is Burris a college professor who along with Professor Castle an acquaintance of his, a former student and his friend , and the two young men?s girlfriends go to visit for themselves a self-proclaimed utopia called Walden Two. Most of the plot centers on the several day visit the company partakes in Walden Two and their exploration of its structure and function guided by its main creator Frazier, a former colleague of Burris?s. Walden Two is a book of complex ideas and theories focused on the need for change and evolution of modern society through advancements in scientific technology. Although one may find himself re-reading several times for better comprehension of a passage, overall the book is an intriguing read for its boldness, creativeness, and originality. Through his skillful execution Skinner makes many of Walden Two?s revolutionary innovations seem ingenious yet still plausible. Whether analyzing Walden Two?s reforms in education, improvements in economics, conservatism in industry or examining its overhaul of parenting, modification of family, and encouraged renaissance of the fine arts, Skinner creates the almost seemingly perfect utopia without traveling beyond the restraints of reality. In much the same way that Skinner creates a realistic utopia, he develops the characters, especially Burris, Castle, and Frazier, to a degree that although not much is known about them other than their present actions and thoughts, they still come to life as accurate portrayals of real people. Probably the most captivating feature of the story is not Walden Two itself but Frazier its creator. Charismatic and witty yet still vain and coldly calculable, much of the story delves on the arguments between him and Castle about the morality and effectiveness of Walden Two and its principles. In this way Skinner?s writing is remarkable for the fact that it consistently explains the opposing arguments Frazier and Castle make concerning inventive features integrated within Walden Two Just when you believe Castle has made a statement that cannot be countered, Frazier says something to him even more perplexing. It is clear that much preparation and research in the ideas of psychology, theology, and logic was needed by Skinner to create this story. Walden Two deserves four out of five stars for its revolutionary, thoughtful ideas that at one time were very controversial. Take into account that it was written in the first few years following World War Two and one will realize the significance of this novel for its effective creation of a desired utopia in a time of far less advancement in technology than today. If not for anything else it still is a thought provoking and entertaining read for those who wish to read something unique or for fun. Those who like Walden Two will also like B. F. Skinner?s About Behaviorism and Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy for their similar themes on Utopian societies, the future, and psychological/philosophical theories involving social culture.