So what would count as “people thinking” in Skinner’s sense? It would involve noticing contingencies: questioning why a claim feels persuasive, checking evidence, and resisting immediate reinforcement when it conflicts with reality. This is less a poetic notion of inner contemplation and more a disciplined practice that can be strengthened or weakened by surroundings.
Seen this way, education and civic life are not merely about transferring information but about cultivating habits that make reflection rewarding—teaching people to test assumptions, track consequences, and revise beliefs without humiliation. [...]
