Skinner provides a formula for survival and for improvement of social conditions. This book consists of nine chapters. Skinner says that man's behavior is influenced by his environment. The first chapter deals with this technology of behavior and how it could be used to improve our culture. Chapters two and three discuss the major issues of freedom and dignity.
Autonomous man believes in less control and the freedom to make choices.
All organisms are controlled by the environment. Skinner suggests that a person may think that he can determine what he wants but evidence points in the other direction - a person's wants are externally determined. Conditions give rise to wants. So doing what one wants to do turns out to be an illusion. Skinner believes that a person is least free or dignified when he is under threat of punishment.