Morality vs. Nature Evil
Psychology is how people can get to know each other better. Psychology students experience amazing results. Phillip Zimbardo, a psychologist well-known for his research on human nature’s corruptive ways, is one of the most prominent. The Stanford Prison Experiment was conducted by Dr. Zimbardo in 1971. This experiment demonstrated what happens to normal people when they are sentenced to prison. Do the good outweigh the bad? Hsun Tzu also participated in understanding the human mind, just like Dr. Zimbardo. His beliefs are described in the book “Man’s Nature is Evil”. Dr. Zimbardo found that evil conquers good in the results of his experiment. The Stanford Prison Experiment proves, despite the fact that Dr. Zimbardo was not entirely satisfied with the outcome of the experiment, that an unhealthy environment will lead to ethical behavior.
If we lack a moral authority figure, we lose sight of it. One participant in the experiment was called “John Wayne” because of his brutal treatment of other prisoners. He began to dehumanize the prisoners and abused his position as guard. He didn’t stop, and no one told him what was wrong. Because he did not have the right guidance, his abuses continued until the end. Tzu’s theory of evil shows that there is no authority. He states, “Now let someone test the authority of a ruler… He will see that the powerful impose their will upon the weak… and the world will soon be rid of chaos and mutual destruction.” Tzu 88. Without proper morality education, the world around them has the potential to become degraded and disorderly. People will abuse power and be abused. These acts were evident as the guards treated those they saw as inferior to them with brutality. His evil ways will triumph over his good. Mob mentality describes how people are influenced and influenced by others’ behavior. This mentality was evident in the experiment, as each guard copied another’s negative behaviors. They wore the same uniforms, but they also wore reflective sunglasses which blocked out all other people from seeing them. Evil was created by the environment they were placed in. With the help of “John Wayne”, guards repeatedly harassed prisoners every day. Other guards mocked his unprofessional treatment of prisoners and became passive observers. He questions why no one has stopped him during the experiment. This shows our selfish nature, which is to witness evil and not stop it. Tzu ends this analysis by remarking, “But, if a person associates himself with people who are not good,” (92). The environment in which we live will determine whether or not our morality is attracted to it. People who exhibit negative behaviors will have an impact on others. People who are influenced will fall prey to their selfishness.
Contrary to Dr. Zimbardo, many people disagree because they consider man inherently good, regardless what his circumstances. An experiment revealed that a prisoner was given the number 416 and began a hunger strike to protest the torture of the guards. This led to him being released from prison. His rebellion may be interpreted as an appeal to his selfishness. He used the hunger strike to express his determination to escape prison, even though he was not allowed by the guards. Prisoner 416 felt like he was losing his identity and freedom. He was responsible for his own actions and his shifting impulses. Tzu challenges the idea that humans inherit good. It has been shown that inheritance of good nature is not valid. If we are taught properly, we can do good. According to psychological studies like this, many people have bad tendencies. We respond to impulses that benefit us before others.
Negative environments can make people selfish and lose their morality. In a negative setting, individuals will abuse power and create a destructive environment. The experiment got so out of control that Dr. Zimbardo needed to be shown by a colleague psychologist all of the unethical actions that had taken place. Dr. Zimbardo ended the experiment before it was finished. Positive environments are essential for morality. Future generations must be able to follow good behavior and avoid negative environments in order to succeed.
