1972•Contemporary Sociology A Journal of ReviewsRequires access

Beyond Freedom and Dignity.

Robert Boguslaw, B. F. Skinner

Open publisher page 3,556 citations

Abstract

The belief that we are all free agents - responsible for our actions and in a position to be punished for our crimes, seems to be a belief that most people subscribe to. But although such a belief may do wonders for our self-esteem and sense of human dignity, is there any evidence that it is true? In the face of immense problems - pollution, overpopulation, famine and possible global war - we urgently need a scientific understanding of how we are moulded by our environment. By losing our arrogance, argues the author, we can learn to control our destiny.

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What this paper is about

The belief that we are all free agents - responsible for our actions and in a position to be punished for our crimes, seems to be a belief that most people subscribe to. But although such a belief may do wonders for our self-esteem and sense of human dignity, is there any evidence that it is true? In the face of immense problems - pollution, overpopulation, famine and possible global war - we urgently need a scientific understanding of how we are moulded by our environment. By losing our arrogance, argues the author, we can learn to control our destiny.

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Available abstract

The belief that we are all free agents - responsible for our actions and in a position to be punished for our crimes, seems to be a belief that most people subscribe to. But although such a belief may do wonders for our self-esteem and sense of human dignity, is there any evidence that it is true? In the face of immense problems - pollution, overpopulation, famine and possible global war - we urgently need a scientific understanding of how we are moulded by our environment. By losing our arrogance, argues the author, we can learn to control our destiny.

Key concepts: Dignity, Sociology, Political science, Environmental ethics, Law, Philosophy

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