Reading Log Questions for “The Perils of Obedience”
1. Describe
the purpose and outcome of Milgram’s experiment. What do you think about his experiment?
2. What
argument(s) does Milgram make about obedience based on the results of the
experiment? Do you agree or disagree
with him? Is his view of obedience a
sufficient explanation for the sometimes “monstrous deeds” people like Eichmann
commit (“the banality of evil” argument)?
3. Describe
a time when an authority figure (other than your parents) told you to do
something against your morals or values.
What did you do? How did you feel
about it? Were there consequences to
your decision?
Note: An example of peer pressure will
suffice if you cannot think of something involving an authority figure.
