Milgram's Experiment

 

Topics for a Debate: 

1. Ethical Considerations: Was it ethical for Milgram to conduct the experiment, given the emotional stress it caused participants? Should such experiments be allowed in the name of scientific progress?

2. Obedience vs. Personal Morality: To what extent should individuals obey authority figures, even when it conflicts with their moral values?

3. Relevance in Modern Society: Would similar results be observed today? Has societal awareness of authority and ethics changed since the 1960s?

4. Power Dynamics and Authority: What does the experiment reveal about power dynamics in society? How do authority figures influence behavior in modern contexts like workplaces or governments?

5. Cultural and Gender Differences: Would different cultures or gender groups react differently in the Milgram experiment? How do social and cultural backgrounds affect obedience to authority?

6. Responsibility in Obedience: Who is responsible for harmful actions carried out under authority: the authority figure or the individual carrying out the orders?

7. Comparisons to Historical Events: How do Milgram’s findings help us understand obedience in historical atrocities like the Holocaust? Can the experiment justify or explain such behavior?

8. The Role of Dissent: What factors enable some individuals to resist authority, as seen in the small number of participants who refused to continue? How can dissent be encouraged in oppressive systems?