Permeability of Good and Evil
I you believe that the world is divided into the good people and the bad people, don’t miss Philip Zimbardo discuss how good people become evil.
Put us in the right situation, and anyone can become evil.
- Mindlessly taking the first small [evil] step
- Dehumanization of others
- De-individuation of self (anonymity)
- Diffusion of personal responsibility
- Blind obedience to authority
- Uncritical conformity to group norms
- Passive tolerance of evil through inaction or indifference
Conversely, put us in a different situation, and any ordinary person can be a hero.