On April 11, 2011, Oriel FeldmanHall of Cambridge…
““On April 11, 2011, Oriel FeldmanHall of Cambridge University ran an experiment as to how people would react when they had to inflict pain on someone else. People were told they would get paid if they administered electric shocks to people in another room. It was the Milgram experiment with a twist. The people getting shocked would be televised. The greater the shock the person in the booth delivered, the more money he or she would get. Sixty-four percent said they would never deliver a shock, even a mild shock. But when the doctor pulled out the money, 96 percent of the participants jumped in and tried to get as much cash as they could. The more visible the victim was on the television monitor, the perpetrator delivered less of a shock. But when only the victim’s hand or foot was being shown on camera, empathy vanished. Maybe evil is the inability to see the human face.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People are more likely to harm others when victims are dehumanized or unseen, especially when financial incentives are present.
In simple terms: Seeing a person’s face reduces cruelty.
Key Takeaway
Make empathy visible to prevent harm.
Themes
ethics
human behavior
empathy
incentives
dehumanization
Mood
concerned
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- workplace
- media coverage
- financial reward systems
- law enforcement training
- online harassment
Key Concepts
psychology
social influence
moral decision making
Questions to Reflect On
- How does anonymity affect moral choices?
- What structures can keep empathy present in high‑stakes decisions?
A Different Perspective
If victims are fully visible, other pressures may still drive harmful actions.