Action Quote by Stanley Milgram
“Ordinary people, simply doing their jobs, and without any particular hostility on their part, can become agents in a terrible destructive process. Moreover, even when the destructive effects of their work become patently clear, and they are asked to carry out actions incompatible with fundamental standards of morality, relatively few people have the resources needed to resist authority.”
About This Quote
Source Research: Obedience to Authority, 1963
Ordinary individuals can unwittingly support harmful systems, especially when authority pressures conflict with morality.
In simple terms: People may aid harm under authority.
Key Takeaway
Question authority and uphold ethics.
Themes
morality
authority
obedience
Mood
serious
thoughtful
Type
ethical
reflective
When to use this quote
- workplace decisions
- military orders
- bureaucratic actions
Key Concepts
social psychology
ethical dilemmas
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you faced moral conflict at work?
- What supports help you oppose unjust orders?
A Different Perspective
Resistance requires resources and personal risk.
