Additionally, he dismisses Skinner’s claims that because of persuasion (soft control) and reinforcement (strong control) autonomy is not of human choice but rather an environmental control. Chomsky (1971) calls this assertion irrelevant and empty as he is unable to offer “a particle of evidence” (p. 9). Lastly, Chomsky addresses Skinner’s design of a culture that values cultural survival over freedom and dignity. As Chomsky (1971) describes it, Skinner envisions a world so controlled and reinforced that bad behavior rarely occurs. In Chomsky’s opinion, this belief is compatible with a rigid police state. In essence, Chomsky’s criticism relegates Skinner’s science of human behavior and the fallacy of autonomy to nothing more than mere
Additionally, he dismisses Skinner’s claims that because of persuasion (soft control) and reinforcement (strong control) autonomy is not of human choice but rather an environmental control. Chomsky (1971) calls this assertion irrelevant and empty as he is unable to offer “a particle of evidence” (p. 9). Lastly, Chomsky addresses Skinner’s design of a culture that values cultural survival over freedom and dignity. As Chomsky (1971) describes it, Skinner envisions a world so controlled and reinforced that bad behavior rarely occurs. In Chomsky’s opinion, this belief is compatible with a rigid police state. In essence, Chomsky’s criticism relegates Skinner’s science of human behavior and the fallacy of autonomy to nothing more than mere