A behavioral psychologist imagines a utopia based on principles of positive reinforcement and training people to act in a way that benefits the community. Professor Burris narrates for us when he and some friends visit his old colleague Frazier, the founder of Walden Two. Each character is on varying levels of acceptance, as Frazier expounds on his Utopia; Castle, in particular, remains a determined skeptic, while Burris finds himself mediating between Castle and Frazier.

I was rather disappointed by this book. It was a fictional way of promoting Skinner's ideas, and there's no story outside of that, only Frazier promoting while Castle digs his heels in further. I remain unconvinced that it could work, and found myself getting annoyed that ultimately Frazier's reasoning was, "Well, you see it working before you" as he led his charges around Walden Two, when I don't know of any such successful community. Also, Skinner is a strict behaviorist and doesn't give much credence to the "nature" or genetic side of psychology. ( )

Utopia run on behaviorist (stimulus-response S-R) principles. It is "fiction", sad to say. The utopia of people running experiments on themselves has never existed and is not likely to. The book is excellent illustration -- almost as a parable -- of environmental/ cultural techniques applied to operant psychological effect. Behavior is "determined" -- the concept of "choice" is inoperable.

B. F. Skinner's classic about a modern utopia, run according to scientific theories of behaviorism, is an appalling account of how fragile modern concepts of human rights and individuality can be in the face of some theories about the best way to organize society for the maximum efficiency. But it is certainly fascinating reading, and should be perused if only so the reader can gather ammunition against the arguments of the behaviorists. ( )

It's perfectly acceptable to dislike Skinner's psychological work and still enjoy this book. I've always been a fan of books that lay out alternative ideas for societies (like the beginning of Brave New World), and Walden Two certainly does just that. Though not ideal for society as a whole, it is interesting to consider applying these ideas to a more structured setting (like a classroom). Certainly not a book you read for a plot or a good story or even deep characters, but one that will make you think about the world we live in and whether or not this would be a reasonable alternative. ( )