Too Young? // Braylan Stringfellow

     At the end of Skinner’s essay, he says that there are people who are saying that this behaviorism science is too young to be used as a possible solution for current problems (220). After I read this, the first thing I though of was when Paul told Timothy to “let no one despise you for your youth” (1 Timothy 4:12). One thing that I take away from this that I think applies to what Skinner is saying is that something should not be look down on or thrown out of the equation simply because it is young or new. I am not saying that behaviorism is right or wrong, or that I agree with everything Skinner says. One thing I would like to say to people who aren’t willing to give behaviorism a try is that since you have problems that are not being solved with your current methods, you should be willing to give it a try because it just might be the solution. If they truly wanted to fix problems, they would be willing to give all options a try no matter how new they are. They same people want to wait for this science to mature some first but the only way for it to grow is for it be put into some kind of use first so that flaws with it can be found and fixed. Whether or not behaviorism is correct, I do agree with Skinner that we should go ahead use behaviorism just to see if it actually works



I commented on Raygan’s and Emily Otts’ post

Comments

  1. Joshua NaqviMarch 21, 2022 at 5:35 PM

    I think that the comment Skinner talked about Behaviorism being to young is possibly in relation to the effectiveness. In science there is usually much need for testing and then trial runs before a treatment is considered effective. Behaviorism was relatively new at the time, and so it probably was not trusted yet. Not to say that it was useful or not, but that was found out later in time.

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  2. Emmett BryantMarch 21, 2022 at 6:16 PM

    Too often the phrase "Too young" is used to stand in the way of progress. Brilliant scientists are discredited and their theories ignored because they are too young. Witnesses in law disputes are seen as unreliable because they are too young. Students are not given any type of preparation for the real world or given any responsibility (high school) because they are too young. And like you pointed out Braylan, too often people are put down within the Church because they are too young. --Emmett Bryant

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  3. Emma LandryMarch 21, 2022 at 9:19 PM

    Hi Braylan. I really liked your reference to 1 Timothy, and I had made the same connection. Your assessment definitely applies to things outside the realm of behaviorism. In everyday situations, people are sometimes resistant to novel methods of problem-solving even if they might help one avoid some roadblocks and possibly make the process more efficient. Sometimes, people are simply scared to take a risk and are afraid of the unknown. I am definitely included in that bunch. I agree with what you said about how things should not be devalued simply because they are new and not as familiar. For example, early followers of Christianity in particular were looked down upon because of their faith, even though the gospel of Christ is the saving truth.
    -Emma Landry

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