philosophy

Exam Overview

• Exam Date: Next Thursday

• Format: Majority will be multiple-choice questions, covering definitions and key concepts.

• Content: Exam will cover

  • Lecture notes (no readings assigned).

  • Two media assignments on Dexter episodes.

Media Assignments

• Content: Specific questions on episodes, not just summaries.

  • Example: Analyze Dexter's decision-making using learned concepts.

• Preparation: Exam created after final lecture content is covered to ensure relevance.

Writing Assignments

• Feedback: Written feedback provided on first assignment with emphasis on grammar and punctuation.

  • Importance of formal writing and professional correspondence:

    • Avoid texting abbreviations, capitalize proper nouns.

Abu Ghraib Prison

• Background: Abu Ghraib was a notorious prison in Iraq, feared by the populace and associated with extreme human rights violations.

• Impact on Soldiers:

  • Young soldiers sent with minimal training and understanding of the prison's history.

  • Encountered the psychological devastation of prisoners which affected their perception.

  • Historical context led to emotional and psychological challenges for both guards and prisoners.

Responsibility and Ethics

• Factors Influencing Behavior:

  • Many soldiers lacked awareness of previous atrocities occurring at Abu Ghraib.

  • !!"Evil in the air" - terminology used by soldiers to describe their environment.

  • Focus on the culture of silence and complicity among soldiers affected their actions.

Banality of Evil

• Concept:

  • Discussed by Hannah Arendt, referring to ordinary people engaging in evil acts without critical thought.

  • Distinction between being a perpetrator of evil versus being evil inherently.

• Zimbardo's Evidence: Soldiers at Abu Ghraib often acted thoughtlessly due to pressure and oversight.

Reflection on Responsibility

• Key Questions:

  • Can an individual perform evil acts without being inherently evil?

  • Importance of empathy and understanding in conversations involving harm to others.

  • Respect for emotional sensitivity when engaging in discussions about traumatic events.

Human Rights Training

• Zimbardo's Recommendations:

  • Encouragement for in-depth training, rather than superficial overview of human rights.

  • Calls for understanding the psychological aspects influencing behavior in extreme conditions.

Social Forces and Influence

• Vague Commands: Ambiguity in military orders contributes to moral disengagement.

• Psychological Toll: Recognizing the need for mental resilience and ethical understanding in high-pressure situations.

Educational Reforms

• Importance of Humanities:

  • Courses involving humanities can counteract binary thinking prevalent in scientific disciplines.

  • Emphasis on emotional intelligence and humane understandings promoting empathy.

Conclusion

• Takeaways from Zimbardo's Work:

  • Acknowledge the dangers of thoughtlessness and the need for critical thinking.

  • Understanding the motivations behind acts of terror and torture requires examining broader societal implications.

  • Maintain vigilance to avoid becoming part of destructive social dynamics due to complacency or lack of critical engagement.