Assuming that our behavior is indeed conditioned and determined by the environment and that therefore free will finds little if no space in this scenario, as sustained by Skinner, what happens when we become aware of it? Is a state of awareness possible, and what would we make of it? Would we then have a choice of actions and free will come back to play at that moment?

Starting with Hariri’s comment on the main difference between humans and animals being imagination^[1], humans can become aware and imagine that there’s an environment around them that reinforces a distinctive behavior. We can use Plato’s cave as a metaphor for becoming aware of mechanisms and "truths" we believe to be reality^[2].

For example, a slot machine player can well become aware of the fact that the machines are timed to allow a win, and therefore can lead to a loss of money/time in the vast majority of plays. Once becoming aware of it, do we then have a degree of freedom of choice of actions?

ABOUT THE ROLE OF TEACHERS IN THE BEHAVIOURIST SCHEME. HOW TO TRAIN AWARENESS IN THE LEARNERS?

The risk of basing a positive reinforcement as a consequence of expected behavior (for example, giving a candy if the homework is done) can lead to the risk that the kid in development years (from kindergarten to elementary school) starts associating “success/self-worth” with a positive external response. Teachers should make it possible for kids and learners to detach this association by transitioning to a reward system in which an encouraged behavior is supported without an external act.