Reflections on Behaviorism and Society. Chapter 2: Are We Free to Have a Future? Quote 20

B. F. SKINNER FOUNDATION

Reflections on Behaviorism and Society. Chapter 2: Are We Free to Have a Future? Quote 20

Post author:B. F. Skinner Foundation
Post published:July 16, 2019
Post category:Skinner's Quote of the Day

“It is possible that we shall act more consistently with respect to the future when we see the possibility of building a better world rather than merely fending off disaster.” (p. 30)

All proceeds support the B. F. Skinner Foundation and enable us to continue our important work. Thank you to all of current and previous donors for helping us continue our mission of Better Behavioral Science for a More Humane World!

The newest addition to the Skinner for the 21st Century series, Science and Human Behaivor: Extended Edition, is available in hard cover! A PDF version of the book is also available.

SKINNER'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

Verbal Behavior: Extended Edition. Chapter 8: The Verbal Operant as a Unit of Analysis. Quote 5
The pathological condition of verbal behavior called aphasia often emphasizes functional differences which are hard to understand in terms of the traditional account … The aphasic has lost some of the functional relationships which control his verbal behavior. A response of a given form may no longer be under the control of one functional relation, although it is still under the control of another. (p. 190)
[…]

“It is possible that we shall act more consistently with respect to the future when we see the possibility of building a better world rather than merely fending off disaster.” (p. 30)

You Might Also Like

About Behaviorism, Chapter 11: The Self and Others, Quote 20

About Behaviorism, Chapter 14: Summing Up, Quote 24

Cumulative Record. Chapter 52: Can Psychology Be a Science of Mind? Quote 25