Accepted Quote by David Edward
“The modern susceptibility to conformity and obedience to authority indicates that the truth endorsed by authority is likely to be accepted as such by a majority of people, who are innately obedient to authority. This obedience-truth will then become a consensus-truth accepted by many individuals unable to stand alone against the majority. In this way, the truth promulgated by the propaganda system - however irrational - stands a good chance of becoming the consensus, and may come to seem self-evident common sense.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Social Psychology of Authority, 2020
People tend to accept what authority says as truth, creating a consensus that may be irrational.
In simple terms: Authority shapes perceived truth.
Key Takeaway
Question authority, seek evidence.
Themes
conformity
authority
truth
consensus
Mood
critical
skeptical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- media consumption
- political discourse
- workplace decisions
- educational settings
Key Concepts
social influence
groupthink
propaganda
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you verify information from authority?
- When might conformity be beneficial?
A Different Perspective
Consensus can suppress dissenting voices.
![“We have reached a situation where a theory has been accepted as fact by some, and possible contrary evidence is shunted aside. [This is] mythology rather than science.” quote by Robert Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c31/robert-shapiro-26969_accepted_we-have-reached-a-situation-where-a-theo_19120.jpg)
