Walden Two

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”