- Kieran Preissler
- Chapel Hill, NC
- United States
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I've heard "evil" defined as "blindly obeying authority." How can we better educate the population about the motives of "authority"?
We've all heard that power corrupts and its been proven in the past (Abu Ghraib, Zimbardo's Stanford Prison Study), and we've seen attempts at trying to discover the line between conforming and conscience (Milgram experiment). But then there are the everyday heroes that have defied the conformity (Wesley Autrey, the man who jumped on a subway track to save a stranger). How can we foster an encouraging environment that promotes behavior like that?
Topics:
Passive Social Psycology evil heroes sociocentered
Adriaan Braam 20+
Most of the time courages acts are done impulsive, without due thought. I doubt we can throw the switch, but it seems to me we need more ways to show people to be more affirmative toward humanity, our 'fellow man'. Not be more trusting or excepting, but see the good in them first.
When I went door to door for the Heart and Stroke, one person will not even come to the door while another will give $20.
Daniel Svensson
Adriaan Braam 20+
My definition of evil would include a cruel dictatorship, so getting rid of one, within reasonable limits of force, would be good for society.
The answer to your idea might be to educate the population how (and where) to ask for the government's motives, and how to influence those motives.. good luck :)
Daniel Svensson
Do you think that it is evil to destroy cruel dictatorships? Even if it was done peacefully?
Adriaan Braam 20+
"My definition of evil would include a cruel dictatorship, so getting rid of one, within reasonable limits of force, would be good for society."
So, no I do not think that it is evil to destroy cruel dictatorships. I do not believe that whatever or whomever is running a country, is above the law of that country.
Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying that another country can just step in and do that. If citizens in that country can do it, maybe with outside help, that would seem fine to me.