Theos-Talk Archives (September 1997 Message tl00256)

>Would anyone like to comment on B.F. Skinners deterministic model? For
>Skinner everything was physical and human beings were totaly controlled
>by their environment. People have no souls, so they themselves cannot be
>considered as part of their own environment. How does contemplation of
>self fit in Skinners model? Why is it that only computers can have
>virtue in our day? 

Interestingly, Skinner's behavioral model of psychology is no
longer in favor. Many of his techniques are still in use, but as
you say, his determinism has been discovered to simply not
be so. You won't find behaviorism recommended today, but
rather what is called cognitive-behaviorialism, which inlcludes
the mind.

Jerry S.
Member, TI