“If a man can only obey and not disobey, he is a slave; if he can only disobey and not obey, he is a rebel” (Fromm 125). Obedience is a trait that parents instill in children to keep them safe and out of trouble. Throughout life, people realize obedience is not always the answer; however, ruling out obeying as a whole is counterproductive. In “Disobedience as a Psychological and Moral Problem”, Erich Fromm claims people fear authority, yet wish to climb the ladder to reach maximum power. In contrast, “The Stanford Prison Experiment” by Philip G. Zimbardo depicts individuals who are in charge of others, however, hate the ease in which individuals shove their morals aside. Christopher Shea, in “Why Power Corrupts”, states that power can express
…show more content…
Jessup allows power to go to his head and believes he can do anything he wishes without punishment. Zimbardo demonstrates how easily people abuse power when the guards “startle themselves by the ease with which they can turn off their sensitivity and concern for others” (Zimbardo 114). Shea experimented with this topic and his testing proved that people who felt more powerful chose more points from his lottery experiment (Shea). These individuals felt more deserving than those who were classified as ordinary. Instead, the men and women choose strictly with their own personal advancement in mind and hopes to prosper. John Antonakis also explains a trial which tested how individuals would react to having power. Certain individuals were given high authority and others received little power; the persons in charge, held the highest power and made decisions as to how much money each individual would receive. Fromm would agree with Zimbardo, Shea, and Antonakis on the matter of abuse of power by humans, yet Fromm would confront Zimbardo on the topic that all humans wish to become as powerful as possible (Fromm 125). Shea would argue that all people are different and some individuals view their ethics with the utmost of importance and would never defy their beliefs (Shea). Therefore, some would listen to their hearts rather than their mind. Zimbardo would blame Jessup for effortlessly allowing authority to take control, yet he understands authority will always cause people to become blind. Fromm would see Jessup’s decision as correct through the eyes of most humans in society
Jessup allows power to go to his head and believes he can do anything he wishes without punishment. Zimbardo demonstrates how easily people abuse power when the guards “startle themselves by the ease with which they can turn off their sensitivity and concern for others” (Zimbardo 114). Shea experimented with this topic and his testing proved that people who felt more powerful chose more points from his lottery experiment (Shea). These individuals felt more deserving than those who were classified as ordinary. Instead, the men and women choose strictly with their own personal advancement in mind and hopes to prosper. John Antonakis also explains a trial which tested how individuals would react to having power. Certain individuals were given high authority and others received little power; the persons in charge, held the highest power and made decisions as to how much money each individual would receive. Fromm would agree with Zimbardo, Shea, and Antonakis on the matter of abuse of power by humans, yet Fromm would confront Zimbardo on the topic that all humans wish to become as powerful as possible (Fromm 125). Shea would argue that all people are different and some individuals view their ethics with the utmost of importance and would never defy their beliefs (Shea). Therefore, some would listen to their hearts rather than their mind. Zimbardo would blame Jessup for effortlessly allowing authority to take control, yet he understands authority will always cause people to become blind. Fromm would see Jessup’s decision as correct through the eyes of most humans in society