Week 8 Blog: Milgram Then, and Now

"All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing." By Sir Edmund Burke

Milgram's obedience experiments are notorious and controversial in both their scope and conclusions. Many people have declared that they "would stop the experiment".  However, this statement comes AFTER they have learnt of the experiment, and without experiencing the conditions set up to ensure compliance.  In the debriefing stage, some 'Teacher' participants justified continuing because they were able to abrogate responsibility, or felt pressure from an 'expert' who seemed to be in control and was not concerned about the cries of the 'Learner.'   In the video " Milgram Study Today " on MySocLab, one 'Teacher' participant said he continued because he was "just doing my job", and he thought the 'Learner' would be able to free himself 'if he were really in the that much pain".  However, I consider that statement to be rationalization of his actions.  Other Teacher participants also claim the presence of the 'expert' or 'authority figure' ensured their compliance: our society focuses on obeying authority figures and 'experts', including regulatory commissions, federal agencies, etc.  Even with accomplices that act as a moral guide, saying they would not continue the experiment, most participants (about 70%) still finished administering the shocks.  


With the scandals of Abu Ghraib prison, and Guantanamo Bay Prison still lingering, it's easier to see why people fall into authority roles, even when those roles include behavior that is dangerous or harmful to themselves and others.  From what I understand, those military prisons had medical authorities that supervised torture/interrogations, and the prison officials had permission to continue their activities from the highest military and civil authority.  Many war criminals brought to court have said they "were just following orders."  I know the military heavily sanctions those who question authority, to prevent a breakdown of the organization.

These situations continue because as humans, we still crave structure, power, and acceptance.  I believe that a 'mob mentality' brings people to do things that they would not normally ever consider doing.  Milton's experiments are still very relevant today; human nature hasn't really changed very much.We like to believe that we are civilized, rational beings in complete control of ourselves and our emotions.  However, we see that evil still proliferates in this world, especially when people do nothing to oppose it, or organize against it.