Aiken Attacks 'Utopia' Idea In Discussing Skinner Novel

Opposition to scientific "Utopias" on factual, methodological and moral grounds was expressed last night by David H. Aiken '40, associate professor of Philosophy.

In a spirited but good-natured debate with Burrhus F. Skinner's '31, professors of Psychology, Aiken attacked Skinner's recent noval "Walden Two" for ". . . distracting people from doing something about the present by proposing a hypothetical future." The debate, sponsored by the Student Association for Natural and Social Sciences, took place before a capacity crowd in Harvard Hall 6.

Skinner, in his opening remarks, called scientific "Utopias" not only desirable but practical. He cited successful experiments in Palestine, Paraguay, and a proposed settlement in British Columbia as examples.

The fundamental features of those "Utopias," according to Skinner, is communal property, separation of children from parents for educational purposes, and the absence of money. "Sooner or later we must apply this scientific approach to human affairs and now is the time," he said.

Aiken termed Skinner's book ". . . a political tract rather than a work of art." He asserted the basic fallacy in Skinner's argument was the pre-suppositions that the social scientists who would govern the Utopian state would be men of good will as well as men of knowledge.

Skinner, a leading experimental psychologist, has pioneered new methods of study of human motivation.