Overview
- The book utilizes an unpublished conversation between B.F. Skinner and E.O. Wilson in 1987 as a springboard to lead readers to a more integrated view of behaviorism and sociobiology
- Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras
Part of the book series: Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects (DIPR)
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Table of contents (6 chapters)
Keywords
About this book
Reviewers have characterized Paul Naour's A Dialogue Between Sociobiology and Radical Behaviorism, which includes brief introductions by E.O. Wilson and B.F. Skinner's elder daughter, Julie Vargus, as an idea book. The work will undoubtedly have a significant academic market and provide students and scholars in biology, ethology, psychology, anthropology, sociology and economics a strong foundation in twentieth century history and systems.
Praise for A Dialogue Between Sociobiology and Radical Behaviorism:
- E.O. Wilson says of the book: ". . . excellent, an outstanding addition to the history of ideas. It will put Fred Skinner back in the pantheon and, providing context, serve as an excellent introduction to the content and central truths in radical behaviorism. Needless to say, I'm also grateful to have my work following Sociobiology given proper attention."
-David Sloan Wilson, author of Darwin’s Cathedral writes: "E.O. Wilson and B.F. Skinner agreed that the human capacity for change is both a product of genetic evolution and an evolutionary process in its own right. Yet, the paradigms of sociobiology and radical behaviorism went in very different directions. Paul Naour's insightful analysis of a taped conversation between Wilson and Skinner goes beyond the historical significance of the conversation and helps to integrate the two paradigms for the future."
-Carl Haywood writes: "The present question is whether evolution by natural selection is a useful set of concepts for the development of psychology. Naour’s proposed confluence of radical behaviorism and sociobiology suggests not only that it is, but also that radical behaviorism shares with sociobiology a debt and an allegiance to Darwinism."
Reviews
From the reviews:
“Paul Naour’s book is a modest, introductory attempt to identify points of contact between two of the most notable life scientists of the 20th century … . Naour’s volume should be appeal to those wanting an introduction to or review of Skinner’s ideas, to those curious about the Wilson-Skinner meeting, and to professors teaching upper-level undergraduate courses on learning and behavior, who might elect to use the book as the foundation for a seminar.” (Clara B. Jones, American Journal of Psychology, Spring, 2011)Bibliographic Information
Book Title: E.O. Wilson and B.F. Skinner
Book Subtitle: A Dialogue Between Sociobiology and Radical Behaviorism
Authors: Paul Naour
Series Title: Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-89462-1
Publisher: Springer New York, NY
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life Sciences, Biomedical and Life Sciences (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer-Verlag New York 2009
Hardcover ISBN: 978-0-387-89461-4Published: 19 March 2009
Softcover ISBN: 978-1-4419-2795-8Published: 06 December 2010
eBook ISBN: 978-0-387-89462-1Published: 27 February 2009
Series ISSN: 1574-3489
Series E-ISSN: 1574-3497
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XIX, 138
Number of Illustrations: 25 b/w illustrations
Topics: Evolutionary Biology, Anthropology