ARRAF AHMED
QUOTES:
“I have a lot of choices. I wouldn’t go on if I knew he was being harmed.” (1st Teacher)
“…how far human beings will go to appease what they perceive to be an authority figure.” (Student)
RESPONSE:
After watching the video about the obedience study conducted by Milgram, it is easy to say that the experiment was quite an unusual and cruel action. I chose the first quote because I agree with the 1st teacher in the sense that someone in that position does have options as to not continue with the experiment and to stop at any point. In my opinion, causing bodily harm to another human being is not just in any situation, even if you are being forced to do so. The first teacher had the same view as I would have in that specific instance, so it made sense to draw from his statements, in terms of not wanting to harm the “person” on the other side. The quote from the student was significant to me because of the fact that many of the teachers did follow through up until the 450V switch, which was clearly labelled as extremely dangerous. I thought that the use of the word “appease” had a great impact because that is exactly what happened within the video. Many of the teachers continued with the shocks because they were following the orders of an “authority” figure. In my opinion, this goes to show the level of values and morals within the subjects that were tested and how they perceive what was right and at what point it was wrong. Overall, I think that the experiment was insightful towards showing viewers how certain people handle situations in which power is literally at their hands, but being directed by a higher authority.
I think you make a lot of really interesting points in your argument. What I really found insightful was how you analyzed the use of the word “appease”. In this experiment the person administering the shock just wanted to fulfill the expectations of the researchers. However, I don’t think this means that they aren’t moral individuals as you pointed. I think this shows the power of authority and the influence obedience can have on individuals in certain circumstances. I consider myself a moral and reasonable person and while I say I wouldn’t continue with the shock, I genuinely don’t know how I would react if I had was a subject in this experiment and I could appease the experimenters by following their orders.
-Matthew Epstein