Authority Quote by Stanley Milgram
“The state produced in the laboratory may be likened to a light doze, compared to the profound slumber induced by the preponent authority system of a national government.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Experimenter, 1974, Stanley Milgram on authority and obedience
Milgram likens government authority to a deep sleep, far more powerful than a laboratory experiment’s light doze.
In simple terms: Government control is deeper than experimental authority.
Key Takeaway
Question the depth of institutional power.
Themes
authority
government
psychology
obedience
control
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
serious
Type
theoretical
critical
When to use this quote
- political analysis
- public policy
- education
- media critique
Key Concepts
social influence
power dynamics
institutional authority
Questions to Reflect On
- What limits do experiments have in modeling real power?
- How do citizens resist deep institutional influence?
A Different Perspective
Even small experiments can reveal aspects of authority, but they differ from systemic governance.
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