My physical science text tells me that to be a scientist, it is necessary to compare and contrast different ideas and theories in order to arrive at the truth. Tonight, I will look at two very different ideas which lead to two very different conclusions.
The founding generations' hopes and dreams were to develop a place where people could live free in accordance with natures laws which are God's laws. The Declaration of Independence was written to the King of England because he would not allow the people their free will. Therefore, the founding generation broke from a tyrant and set forth to create a place where men and women could live free. For as Benjamin Franklin stated, "Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God." Michael Novak said, "Americans of the founding generation appealed without flinching to the undeceivable Judge of all consciences, precisely because they believed they had formed a covenant with Him, in the name of His most precious gift to the universe, the liberty of the sons and daughters of God."
Contrasting our American founder's plan with the behavioral scientist B.F. Skinner's plan to understanding behavior of people in order to control behavior in ways according to those that want to rule over people's will. (Which Skinner does not believe people have) Thus, Skinner and others like him, are striving to put humankind back under the rule of a tyrant. Only this tyrant is not depicted as such, as they rarely are. He states "operate conditioning" can be used politically if one knows how. Skinner argues, "when concerned about changing behavior, you don't have to turn to vicious methods, you turn to schools, forms of therapy, incentives, and rehabilitation and such, as a good practical method to motivate." He further states, "if we can restructure consequences we can change behavior."
You chose which one sounds better for you. Freedom and liberty or conditioned motivation for the desired behavior. It's up to you! Or rather according to Skinner...it isn't!
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