The Banality of Evil and the Darkness of Human Nature#
There is a saying that many may have heard: "Good systems make bad people good, while bad systems make good people bad." Can ordinary people become evil in a system where they have no control? What are the dark aspects of human nature that cannot be faced directly? In the face of these darkness, can we forgive?
The Trial of Eichmann#
In May 1960, Israel's intelligence agency Mossad successfully captured Adolf Eichmann, a Nazi remnant who had been hiding in Argentina for over a decade, after years of relentless pursuit. Eichmann was a key executor of the Nazi's extermination plan for the Jews during World War II, famously known as the "Final Solution." The infamous Auschwitz concentration camp, which used gas to mass murder Jews, was also a result of his orders, with conservative estimates suggesting that over 200,000 Jews died directly under his command.
During his trial in Israel, despite his blood-stained past, Eichmann refused to plead guilty. He believed he had always been following his oath of loyalty and acting under orders, claiming that if there was any wrongdoing, it lay with his superiors, particularly Hitler. He saw himself merely as a cog in the system, following the rules without fault.
Two American scholars participated throughout this famous trial: political theorist Hannah Arendt and psychologist Milton Rokeach. They noted that Eichmann did not resemble the stereotypical image of a murderous psychopath; he inadvertently displayed a demeanor that was decent, calm, and even cultured, occasionally quoting Kant to defend himself. His thoughts were neither filled with hatred nor madness, resembling an ordinary, dull neighbor one might encounter.
The Banality of Evil#
Hannah Arendt wrote the groundbreaking book "Eichmann in Jerusalem" based on this case, introducing a concept that has become familiar to us today—the banality of evil. Arendt argued that evil is often not extreme and frequently manifests in a mundane manner. She defined the banality of evil as follows:
"When anyone is willing to abandon their judgment of right and wrong to obey authority and the system, even the most ordinary person can commit the most extreme evil. Evil is not only found in those we consider to be the most heinous; it lurks within everyone."
In other words, as long as one is human, including ourselves, we possess this inherent flaw in human nature, and once trapped in an evil system like the Nazis, we are highly likely to become perpetrators of wrongdoing.
Milgram's Shock Experiment#
Milgram, as a psychologist, designed a highly controversial experiment at Yale University in 1963 to test the universality of Hannah Arendt's theory of the banality of evil—the shock experiment. The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether an ordinary person could, under appropriate conditions, become a cold-blooded monster like Eichmann.
The experiment recruited 40 participants without informing them of its true purpose, instead telling them it was a study on whether corporal punishment facilitated learning. All participants played the role of "teachers," while a student answered questions in an adjacent room. In the experiment, if the student answered incorrectly, they would be punished with electric shocks, with the voltage increasing from low to high, up to a maximum of 450 volts, a potentially lethal voltage.
During the experiment, most "teachers" initially expressed doubts and discomfort as the voltage increased and the student's cries grew more desperate. However, under external pressure, 62.5% of participants ultimately administered the maximum voltage of 450 volts, and not a single one stopped before reaching 300 volts.
Results and Reflection#
Milgram made a documentary about this experiment titled "Obedience." In his article "The Dangers of Obedience," he pointed out:
"When the authority figure leading the experiment orders participants to harm another person, even if the participants experience intense moral discomfort, in most cases, the authority figure continues to command them."
The shock experiment demonstrated adults' willingness to obey authority figures, revealing the fundamental reason why human nature can be so easily extinguished in an evil system.
Modern Case: The Trial of Vadim Shishimarin#
On May 23, 2022, a Ukrainian court sentenced Vadim Shishimarin, a 21-year-old Russian soldier accused of war crimes, to life imprisonment. He expressed regret during the trial but did not believe it was his fault, as he was acting under orders. His defense mirrored that of Eichmann.
Conscience and Responsibility#
During the trial, the judge stated:
"When killing on behalf of a power structure, no one has the right to ignore their conscience. Not all laws are just, and not everything that is legal is right."
This indicates that executing a harmful law as a representative of power and becoming part of evil entails responsibility.
Conclusion#
Through Hannah Arendt's argument, we can see that it is not that Eichmann was foolish, but rather that he refused to think deeply and lacked moral judgment. Goodness is the result of deep reflection, while evil is a product of superficial understanding.
Under unchecked power, value systems can be subverted, and once a value system is overturned, people can commit evil under the guise of righteousness. The characteristics of the banality of evil include conformity, compliance with the system, and a reluctance to think critically. This elimination of independent thought and unconditional obedience to orders leads to societal darkness.
We must remain vigilant against this banality of evil, maintain independent thinking, and reject blind conformity.