Introduction
Some people do just enough work, to satisfy the leader,( and do not contribute their full potential). The reason is, they are not happy with what they are doing, and are forced to carry out instructions even though they do not like them. Historically, obedience is essential for social organization, but obedience can also lead to chapters in history such as the genocide of Jews during World War II. We tend to obey (to change our opinions and judgment), when someone in a position of authority, instructs us to do so, even though we know it order can harm other people. Although, we might obey in some way, it does not mean that we are supportive of the instructions. Many times we obey authority because we don't want negative repercussions. We blindly comply, without questioning why? A Psychologist, (Milgram), carried out a study to try to answer the question of how far individuals would go with regard to obedience to authority. Milgram found that 65% of participants were willing to deliver the maximum level of shocks, inflicting server pain on total strangers .The purpose of my paper is to examine obedience to authority, from my perspective. I will discuss, explore and evaluate explanations as to why people obey authority.
To what extent obedience is necessary for a successful society?
Obedience is a primary basic element in the structure of social life, and a system of authority is required in all communal living. In a civilized society, it is necessary to comply with rules and regulations, laws and authority, cultural and religious expectations, in order to maintain order and harmony. Without obedience to authority, society could not function. Obedience is necessary for a successful society. The question is, to what extent should we obey? Should we obey harmful order? Milgrams’ studies is important as his experiment showed that people complying with orders, and are more likely to follow them when the person giving orders are nearby and are perceived as a legitimate authority figure (Myers, p.742). It has also showed that normal people are willing harm others, just because an authoritative person told them to do so. Most of participant hated giving the shocks, especially when the victim was objecting to them, yet even though they thought the experiment cruel, most were not able to decline or refuse. Inhumane policies may have originated in the mind of a single person, but they could only be carried out on a massive scale if a arge number of persons obeyed orders (Behavioral Study of Obedience). For example, in a class room, the lecturer asks a question. If most of your friends say, Yes, you are reluctant to say No, even though you think the ‘Yes’ answer is right .In this way, obedience becomes a tool that leaders use to gain compliance.
How far should people go to comply with authority?
We all know that military discipline and its’ effectiveness is built on the foundation of obedience to orders. Recruits are taught to obey, immediately and without question, the orders from their superiors, right from day-one. (US Military)Nevertheless, when we obey authority without a conscience, the consequences could harm society. As I have stated earlier, obedience to authority is necessary for any society to function. But the point, at which obedience to authority becomes dangerous, is when it harms other citizens. Therefore, we must not lose our ability to question; as this is the essence of democratic processes. If it meant hurting others, personally, I would say, “No” to authorities. I would not comply with authority, if I think it is morally wrong. To conclude, I think, to obey or not to obey depends on situation. If a legitimate order is given by authority, then we should obey. Military members disobey orders at their own risk. They also obey orders at their own risk. An order to commit a crime is unlawful. But, an order to perform a military duty, no matter how dangerous is lawful, as long as it doesn't involve commission of a crime.
Typically, when we look up to people, because of their accomplishments, their attitude, or any other personal attribute, we tend to give them more power over us. But leaders can be also wrong. Obedience is a necessary and desirable phenomenon.
In some cultures, it is taught to obey. In my culture, I was thought to obey my parents. We are trained from an early age to be obedient to authority .Biblically, disobedience was seen as a sin. Beside, when we look at the history of the German officer corps, they were trained in the most rigorous code of obedience. In the name of obedience, they were party to, and assisted in, the most horrific actions in recorded history of the world. Culture has taught us how to obey authority, Milgram remarks, but not how to disobey authority that is morally reprehensible. (Obedience to authority). History provides many examples of destructive obedience: the holocaust "Jewish problem" by the Nazis, The My Lai massacre during the Viet Nam war. We need to think critically and understand what we are being ordered to do. If you think that an order given by authority is morally wrong, you must dare to question it.
In conclusion
Stanley Milgram, demonstrated just how compliant ordinary people can be, when instructed by figures of authority. People follow directions of the persons with power, whether they agree with them or not. Some simply obeyed without taxing their conscience, and others obeyed, feeling uncomfortable, complying with instruction that inflicted pain on others. It became clear that people, no matter what profession, whether employed or otherwise, were employed at all were eager to please an authority figure. In summary, we should respect authority, but refuse to obey any instruction that challenges our sense of propriety, moral or ethical sensibilities.
Bibliography
About.com :US military. Retrieved March 20,2010, from Website:http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/militarylaw1/a/obeyingorders.htm
Behavioral Study Of Obedience: Journal of Abnormal and Social. Retrieved March 21, 2010, from Website:http://library.nhsggc.org.uk/mediaAssets/Mental%20Health%20Partnership/Peper%202%2027th%20Nov%20Milgram_Study%20KT.pdf
G.Myers (2007)Psychology.(8th Ed.).USA
Knol: Obedience To Authority.Retrieved March 20,2010, from Website:http://knol.google.com/k/obedience-to-authority#The_ability_to_disobey
Psychology Glossary – Obedience. Retrieved March 22,2010, from Website:http://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition.php?term=Obedience
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