Exploratory+Synthesis

Essay #1 When does Obedience become Dangerous? For centuries obedience has been viewed as ‘right’ and the only way to live as by virtue and self-discipline. However, in our society the question arises: When does obedience become dangerous? Obedience and disobedience have been the driving force of society; if it weren’t for the disobedience of the past, civilization may not have existed on the planet, and history would have never been made - not only as it’s known in the U.S. - but all around the world. It is up to everyone to decide when the power of authority, social influence, and the virtue of obedience become too over powering, and the vice of disobedience is our only chance of survival and acceptance into a cruel and overpowering world.

As Fromm once stated, “If a man can only obey and not disobey, he is a slave; if he can only disobey and not obey, he is a rebel (not a revolutionary); he acts out of anger, disappointment, resentment, yet not in the name of a conviction or a principle” (pg. 404). Our ‘Founding Father’s,’ as we call them, whether we look as far back as man first setting foot on America with the Indians, or to Thomas Jefferson writing the Declaration of Independence, both had disobeyed their countries and disembarked on a journey that forever changed our nation, and the world. “Conservative philosophers argue that the very fabric of society is threatened by disobedience, while humanists stress the primacy of the individual conscience.” (Milgram, pg. 359) When Thomas Jefferson articulated the accusations against King George III, we as a nation were taking a stand against laws set down by Great Britain establishing a ‘government’, here in the states dictating how we should act as a society and as individuals. Fromm implies that disobedience if the basis of freedom, and in return, freedom is the basis for disobedience. (pg. 405) It was because of the moral beliefs and the disobedience of a social group that brought our nation to where it is today, free of all powers and living for the ‘pursuit of happiness.’

One question stands before many when we look back to our past: Why did we as a nation write the Declaration of Independence? If mankind were to commit suicide, we would do so out of fear, hate, and greed, because we as people will obey the clichés of national honor, however, we discourage disobedience in the “free world” by methods of persuasion. (Fromm pg. 403) We as a nation must stand up for ourselves and understand when obedience is dangerous, and the authority is too over powering. However, no one is willing to take a stand and we are like every other person out there, scared to take a stand for ourselves and be considered independent. I may claim myself as an independent now - living alone, secluded in a “cell block” - but I am not. As an individual, I tend to stand back rather than take a stand because social influences change the way I think and feel. Social influences affect every person in society, whether they are aware of its affect on human life or not. As a college student, I notice a pattern in the ways that people dress and look; name brand clothing, the newest hairstyles, and the most recent fashion trends.

In a study based on social influence by Solomon E. Asch, those choosing an answer and confronted by an actor contradicting their answer, the individual continued to answer independently. As the subjects were confronted by a second person, the ability to answer independently fell 13.6 per cent, and when confronted by three it fell even more to 31.8 percent. His study did not stop there, though; as the number of oppositions increased, the ability to answer independently decreased. (Asch pg. 355) The study not only showed that we are self conscience of the world around us and what others think, but in our minds we have the ability to resist and become independent rather than depend on everyone around us to find out who we really are.

On the other hand of the spectrum, there is also the aspect of social authority. In Milgram’s study of the ability of those involved to follow his rules, he came to observe the reactions of those under authority and their reactions to sadistically mistreating an innocent ‘student’. Milgram, however, experienced more reactions than expected. A subject, Gretchen Brandt, started the cycle and after a few complaints from the test subject, she asks if she shall continue. Milgram in his authority tells her to proceed no matter what; however, it was against her moral beliefs. Knowing that the test subject had a heart condition, she did not want to be responsible for any harm done considering they were there on their own free will and there was nothing to stop her from leaving. After several studies and many results, a businessman fully enjoying his authority, and when given the option of how much to use, and the varying results, Milgram came to a conclusion. Milgram viewed that people’s ability to obey was based on the presence of authority, the conflict between authority and ‘teacher’, and the ability to take a stand against authority. (pg. 369) As Milgram observed when it comes to social authority, there will always be the defiant, unsure, and obedient pursuers. Social authority and influences also became apparent in the book, __Blood Done Sign My Name__, by Timothy B. Tyson. The book set in the 1960’s-1970’s, during the Civil Rights Movement, where controversial topics were discussed and witnessed. Reverend Tyson speaks about the social clashes in the communities and their influence on those around them. The social differences were overwhelming during this time; separate water fountains, separate schools, separate seats on a bus, and all ‘white’ stores. Any disobedience in regards to these regulations resulted in enforcement of the law. Authority said to stray from the blacks, however there was an individual who disobeyed. Reverend Tyson incorporates blacks into his family’s life on frequent occasions. Throughout the book he makes many false movements such as bringing a black preacher to his church to give a sermon on racial differences. According to the social views of the city this was completely unethical; however, with this he had solved some issues of views against blacks, and at the same time created new ones. Most importantly, it was a stand against the social influences, and towards accepting people for who they were, and in the end, blacks were starting to be viewed as equals.

Accepting people for who they truly are not only pushes the boundaries of social influence, but also helps those who are trapped inside of their shells break out. As Fromm stated: “Sapere Aude,” dare to be wise. In our 21st century society, one must dare to be wise in order to be unique and individual, but most importantly in order to survive civilization and to create history. Social pressure, authority, and the effects of the world around us have clearly influenced people, but disobedience and recognizing when obedience was becoming dangerous is what has gotten us, as a nation, to our current status. Obedience and disobedience are what have shaped our country, people, and myself into what we are. It may have taken scientific information for some of us to realize how much our decisions affect our social views and obedience to civilization; however, it is with distinction that we, as a social group, have disobeyed those attributes discussed in the scientific knowledge of those elite in the world, in order to survive and accept ourselves in the cruel and overpowering world. __ Works Cited __ Asch, Solomon E. “Disobedience as a Psychological and Moral Problem” __Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum__. Laurence Behrens, and Leonard J. Rosen ed. 10th ed. NY Pearson Longinan, 2008. 351-357 Fromm, Erich “Disobedience as a Psychological and Moral Problem” __Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum__. Laurence Behrens, and Leonard J. Rosen ed. 10th ed. NY Pearson Longinan, 2008. 402-407 Milgram, Stanely “Disobedience as a Psychological and Moral Problem” __Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum__. Laurence Behrens, and Leonard J. Rosen ed. 10th ed. NY Pearson Longinan, 2008. 358-370