Quote by W. H. Auden

Of course, behaviorism works. So does torture. Give me a no-nonsense, down-to-earth behaviorist, a few drugs, and simple electrical appliances, and in six months I will have him reciting the Athanasian Creed in public.

Of course, behaviorism works. So does torture. Give me a no-

Summary

This quote sarcastically suggests that behaviorism, a psychological theory that focuses on observable behavior, can be used to manipulate and control individuals effectively. By comparing it to torture, the quote highlights the potential negative and unethical aspects of behaviorism. It claims that given the right tools, such as drugs and electrical appliances, anyone can be indoctrinated to the point of reciting religious affirmations publicly, illustrating the perceived power and coercive potential of behaviorism.

Topics

Manners

By W. H. Auden

Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.

Random Quotations

Scientists are peeping toms at the keyhole of eternity.

Scientists are peeping toms at the keyhole of eternity.

Arthur Koestler

Science

Stay at home in your mind. Don't recite other people's opini

Stay at home in your mind. Don't recite other people's opinions. I hate quotations. Tell me what you know.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Opinion

We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.

We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.

Defeat

The shortest distance between two people is laughter.

The shortest distance between two people is laughter.

Laughter

I just couldn't go back to Suddenly Susan after David Strick

I just couldn't go back to Suddenly Susan after David Strickland's suicide. I didn't see how we could make the show light and funny any more.

Funny

What good is sitting all alone in your room?

What good is sitting all alone in your room?

Alone

It's a unique situation as well because England is a small c

It's a unique situation as well because England is a small country, so it makes it easy for the fans to travel. If we play down in London, they get buses and we'll get three or four thousand fans come down. They'll all sit in the same area and show their support for the team.

Travel

Love is its own reward.

Love is its own reward.

Love

We are not the person other people wish we were. We are who

We are not the person other people wish we were. We are who we decide to be.

People

This sort of adoration of the real is but a heightening of t

This sort of adoration of the real is but a heightening of the beau ideal.

Lord (George Gordon) Byron

Reality

In life there can be no victor, for death comes to all and s

In life there can be no victor, for death comes to all and smites them.

Life

I have a certain pool of subject matter that I like to write

I have a certain pool of subject matter that I like to write about, things that interest me: politics, religion, ecology, and relationships between men and women. And that's usually what I focus on.

Future