Authority
The Milgram experiment ran by Stanley Milgram provided some of the most stunning insights into how influential authority can be over others.
People often act in an automated fashion to commands from authority, even if their instincts suggest the commands should not be followed.
Read more about this topic: Influence: Science And Practice
Famous quotes containing the word authority:
“The most absurd apology for authority and law is that they serve to diminish crime. Aside from the fact that the State is itself the greatest criminal, breaking every written and natural law, stealing in the form of taxes, killing in the form of war and capital punishment, it has come to an absolute standstill in coping with crime. It has failed utterly to destroy or even minimize the horrible scourge of its own creation.”
—Emma Goldman (1869–1940)
“Freedom of conscience entails more dangers than authority and despotism.”
—Michel Foucault (1926–1984)
“In one sense it is evident that the art of kingship does include the art of lawmaking. But the political ideal is not full authority for laws but rather full authority for a man who understands the art of kingship and has kingly ability.”
—Plato (428–348 B.C.)