Abstract:
B. F. Skinner’s interest in artistic productions can be seen in different publications, with the book Walden two (1948) standing out. In it, Skinner considers the artistic production for establishing an equalitarian and happy social environment, mentioning, thus, an array of artworks. Given the theoretical-scientific relevance of the book, as well as its artistic diversity, this article aimed understand the artworks described in Walden two based on a classic and romantic traditional artistic styles. Excerpts of the book that mentioned keywords related to art were researched and compiled in tables and analyzed according to classical and romantic attributes, described by specialized texts. Six main artistic categories were identified in Skinnerian fiction (literature, theater, music, visual arts, architecture, and fashion), that show similar characteristics to classic rationalism and romantic sentimentalism, as well as other characteristics that differentiate them from these strands. In conclusion, the art on Walden two exists in a state of artistic pluralism, which also highlights the possibility of radical behaviorism being interpreted as a philosophy of art.
Keywords:
Art; Behavior Analysis; Classicism; Romanticism