P. Naour
E.O. Wilson and B.F. Skinner
A Dialogue Between Sociobiology and Radical Behaviorism
Series: Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects
▶ This book utilizes an unpublished conversation between B.F. Skinner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
2009, XIX, 138 p. 25 illus.
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"This is going to be a conversation that I will have with B.F. Skinner. This is Ed Wilson.
He invited me by to talk about sociobiology." Thus began a 1987 conversation between
E.O. Wilson, who embodies sociobiology, and B.F. Skinner, who personifies radical
behaviorism. The two Harvard colleagues shared a common interest—but very different
perspectives—in behavior, human nature, and culture. They also shared years of
exaggerated and ideologically-based claims regarding the perceived controversial nature
of their work. However, the passage of over twenty years places their conversation in
a very different evolutionary context that is the unifying theme of this book and Paul
Naour’s inspiration to cleverly describe the relationship of their work.
Naour uses the conversation as a centerpiece around which he offers readers thoughtprovoking insight regarding how we can push the rigid boundaries of discipline-based
dogmatism to understand the evolutionary relationships between sociobiology and
radical behaviorism. Wilson (1998) challenges us to understand a "balanced perspective
cannot be acquired by studying disciplines in pieces but through pursuit of the consilience
among them. Such unification will come hard." Wilson recently observed that" What
(Naour) has written is excellent, and will be an outstanding addition to the history of
ideas."
During this sesquicentennial year of The Origin of Species and the bicentennial of
Darwin’s birth, B.F. Skinner and E.O. Wilson: A Dialogue Between Radical Behaviorism and
Sociobiology is an essential read for anyone interested in the evolutionary basis of human
behavior. The book challenges readers to push beyond the boundaries of Wilson and
Skinner, suggests relationships to current work, and inspires curiosity regarding how that
work can provide additional insight to the biological basis of human culture. It will also
appeal to those with interest in the contemporary history of science or psychology, and is
written for a broad readership to provoke renewed consideration of Wilson and Skinner.
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