Human beings have always been severely constrained by laws, religion, and moral standards, even though most democratic states declare that he is the greatest value. The controversial and thought-provoking essay “The Perils of Obedience” by Milgram examines the function of obedience in social behavior. The article’s primary argument is that people frequently obey people of power regardless of whether doing so goes against their moral convictions and values. According to Milgram, this heedless obedience can lead to hazardous and even fatal outcomes, as evidenced by the Holocaust’s horrors. Because there are many interpretations of what constitutes human freedom and obedience is inextricably linked with it, every state must guarantee its people absolute freedom from all unauthorized intrusions.
The idea of states that may arise in particular circumstances illustrates how the human mind depends on external circumstances. In his paper, Milgram develops a novel idea known as the “agentic state.” He explains how individuals may experience a mental condition in which they believe they merely carry out commands and are not accountable for their deeds. This condition can cause people to disregard their moral sense and slavishly obey orders from superiors. The “bystander effect,” which states that people are less likely to help in a disaster when others are present, is another topic Milgram covers. Collective irresponsibility, along with blind obedience to commands, prevents people from exercising critical thought and reduces them to servants, which is unacceptable.
The idea that the goals justify the means is one that scientists frequently apply. In composing this research, Milgram stepped outside the bounds of professional ethics, but it can be excused in this instance. Overall, I found Milgram’s essay to be both fascinating and unsettling. His obedience-testing trials were contentious and morally dubious, but they also revealed the more sinister sides of human nature. Milgram’s examination of the agentic condition and the onlooker effect sheds light on why people hesitate to intervene or speak up in particular circumstances. The collected information emphasizes the human psyche’s potential susceptibility to outside impact, which points to the necessity of developing mental independence.
When humans become conscious of their frailty, they question the social and governmental structures surrounding them. The piece makes me wonder how we can motivate people to defy blind compliance and behave under their moral convictions, among other things. What else might be accomplished to prevent the spectator impact and encourage people to respond in emergencies? Thus, Milgram’s piece is humanistic because it aims to prevent the enslavement of people’s will. It is a demanding and stimulating examination of the role that submission and authority play in human conduct.
One of history’s most important intellectual movements is existentialism, which emerged as a break from traditional religious morality. However, many feared that existence would be uncertain without purpose without God, leaving people to fight for themselves. Jean-Paul Sartre provides a convincing argument in support of existentialism as a theory that emphasizes human liberty and accountability in “Existentialism is a Humanism.” The article’s main theme is that people can define their purpose in life and are accountable for their deeds. According to Sartre, human beings have the inherent freedom to determine their pathways rather than being predestined to do something in particular.
It was revolutionary how Sartre expressed his intellectual ideas. In the essay, Sartre presents several fresh concepts and vocabulary, including “bad faith” and “authenticity.” While authenticity involves recognizing the liability and autonomy for one’s decisions, he describes bad faith as people deluding themselves into thinking they have no freedom or option. For Sartre, the essence of existentialism is honesty. He holds that people must recognize their independence and accept accountability for their actions to define their purpose in life. People can overcome the innate nothingness of life and find their mission and importance by existing authentically. In his discussion of existential choice, Sartre describes it as making decisions that determine a person’s identity.
Numerous individuals frequently lament the challenges life has in store for them without understanding that without their hard work and desire for change, things will continue as they are. Overall, Sartre’s essay is a strong and convincing justification of existentialism. I identify with Sartre’s focus on human liberty and accountability, and I value how he encourages readers to take charge of their lives. He makes compelling cases against deterministic doctrines, and his discussion of bad faith and authenticity offers insightful information about how people view their lives. Before enrolling in college, I depended on luck and did not hold myself accountable for failures, but things started to turn around.
The essence of human existence is altered when one moves beyond religious morality and becomes aware of its significance and obligations in life. The piece makes me wonder how people can balance their autonomy with societal demands and limitations, among other things. What effects does nihilism have on morality, and how do humans make ethical judgments? Overall, Sartre’s essay is an engaging and provocative examination of the significance of human life and the influence of personal choice.
Morality is the main factor that controls how people behave, and it serves as the foundation for more sophisticated normative sources like laws and traditions. The “Theory of Moral Sentiments” by Adam Smith offers a persuading examination of the foundations of morality and ethics in human beings. The text’s main idea is that morality is something that people have by nature and is founded on our capacity for empathy. According to Smith, moral behavior is based on people’s innate propensity to experience compassion and feelings of empathy for other people. People are social creatures, so maintaining an unbreakable bond in society requires empathy and mutual respect, both of which can be attained by moral standards.
Each scholar explains morality and the events closely related to it. Smith uses several novel concepts and expressions in his work, including “impartial spectator” and “invisible hand.” He defines the impartial observer as a hypothetical watcher who assesses the ethical standing of a person’s deeds according to how an unbiased spectator perceives them. The unintended advantages resulting from people following their self-interest are called the invisible hand. Smith contends that acting in one’s own best interests can benefit civilization as a whole. Since the subject cannot assess his actions objectively due to personal interests and prejudices, objectivity is essential to proving that a particular act is moral.
Smith’s work is a stimulating and perceptive examination of individual ethical conduct. I identify with Smith’s focus on compassion and sympathy as the foundation of morality. His evaluation of the objective observer offers an insightful framework for considering moral judgment. I also value Smith’s critique of conventional ideas of charity and selflessness by pointing out the advantages of self-interest. The motivation to use privileges for one’s advantage is only sometimes immoral because achieving society’s goals requires achieving its members’ goals.
People frequently work to improve their characteristics, so Smith’s research is crucial for advancing our knowledge of human ethics. The novel makes me wonder about many things, like how people can develop empathy and compassion. What effects does Smith’s concept of morality also have on the definition of moral obligation and the function of government in advancing humanity’s well-being? In summary, Smith’s “The Theory of Moral Sentiments” is a famous work of ethical thought that persists in offering insightful explanations of the origins of morality and ethics in humans.
Works Cited
Milgram, Stanley. The Perils of Obedience. Harper’s Magazine, 1974.
Sartre, Jean-Paul. Existentialism is a Humanism. Translated by Adam Norman, Internet Archive, 2012. Web.
Smith, Adam. The Theory of Moral Sentiments. 6th ed., MetaLibri, 2006.