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Politics : Dutch Central Bank Sale Announcement Imminent? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: mcg404 who wrote (17982)	4/14/2003 11:58:14 AM
From: philv	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 81023

Yes, I have asked myself that question many times, and I fall into the category of "human", (I think, ((therefore I am))), and would therefore have such a capacity. The interesting part of the experiment was the gradual ratcheting up of the "punishment", the gradual acceptance by the subjects to commit greater acts of punishment, even unto death. This gradualism of acceptance of both authority and abhorent act can be seen in many instances in our society. Lots of examples of our changing morals abound, and even recently, the acceptance of war through propaganda. Its the old case of the frog in a pail of water, being slowly boiled, and not realizing it. Human nature is one of the most interesting subjects, and I have often wondered how does one come to this or that state. Milgram vividly illustrated how susceptible and accepting the human mind is. That is the lesson I learned from that experiment, and have tried to guard myself as much as possible from that kind of process. The act of war, and especially the training of soldiers is about the best direct example I can think of of acceptance of authority to commit acts that would otherwise be criminal. Phil