Beyond Freedom and Dignity

Burrhus Frederick Skinner (1904-1990) is considered one of the most preeminent psychologists of the 20th century. He attended Harvard University and achieved his PhD in psychology in 1931. After graduating, he stayed at Harvard for five years as a researcher, then left to teach at two US midwestern universities—the University of Minnesota and Indiana University. In 1948, he assumed a teaching position at Harvard. While teaching, Skinner worked as a research psychologist and was heavily influenced by John B. Watson’s philosophy of behaviorism. Skinner also invented multiple scientific tools and wrote and published nonfiction and fiction books (Harvard University Department of Psychology. “B.F. Skinner.” Harvard University.).

Skinner’s research was heavily influenced by behaviorism, which was introduced by psychologist John B. Watson. Due to his foundation in behaviorism, his elite education, and his professional experience as a professor, researcher, and inventor, Skinner is considered an authority in psychological philosophy. He was driven to write Beyond Freedom and Dignity because he valued his philosophy as one of the most important scientific developments: “Science has probably never demanded a more sweeping change in a traditional way of thinking about a subject, nor has there ever been a more important subject” (211).