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 under his command, with conservative estimates suggesting that over 200,000 Jews died directly under his orders.
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 allegiance and acting under orders, claiming that if there was any wrongdoing, it lay with his superiors, particularly Hitler. He saw himself as merely a cog in the system, following the rules without fault.
Two American scholars participated throughout this famous trial: political theorist Hannah Arendt and psychologist Milgram. They noted that Eichmann, from his appearance to his manner of speaking, did not resemble the legendary image of a murderous psychopath. He inadvertently displayed a dignified, calm, and even cultured side, occasionally quoting Kant to defend himself. His thoughts were neither filled with hatred nor madness; he resembled an ordinary, dull, and almost boring neighbor.
The Banality of Evil#
Hannah Arendt wrote the groundbreaking book "Eichmann in Jerusalem" based on this case, introducing a concept that is familiar to us today—the banality of evil. Arendt argued that evil is often not extreme and frequently manifests as banality. She defined the banality of evil as follows:
"When anyone is willing to abandon their judgment of good and evil to adhere to authority and the system, even the most ordinary person can lead to the most extreme evil. Evil is not only found in those we consider to be heinous; it lurks within everyone."
In other words, as human beings, including ourselves, we possess this inherent flaw in human nature, and once we fall into 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 psychological experiment in 1963 at Yale University 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 become a cold-blooded monster like Eichmann under appropriate conditions.
The experiment recruited 40 participants, who were not informed of the true purpose of the experiment beforehand; instead, they were told 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 ranging from low to high, peaking at 450 volts, a potentially lethal voltage.
During the experiment, most "teachers" initially expressed doubt and unease 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 turned this experiment into a documentary titled "Obedience." In his article "The Dangers of Obedience," he pointed out:
"When the authority figure in charge of the experiment orders participants to harm another person, even if participants experience intense moral discomfort, the authority figure often continues to command them."
The shock experiment demonstrated adults' willingness to obey authority, revealing the fundamental reason why human nature can become universally extinguished in an evil system.
Modern Case: The Trial of Vadim Shysymarin#
On May 23, 2022, a Ukrainian court sentenced Vadim Shysymarin, a 21-year-old Russian soldier accused of war crimes, to life imprisonment. During the trial, he expressed remorse 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 makes one a part of the evil and must bear 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 the product of superficial understanding.
Under unchecked power, value systems can be subverted, and once a value system is overturned, people can commit evil in a seemingly righteous manner. The characteristics of the banality of evil include conformity, obedience to the system, and a reluctance to think. This elimination of one's own thoughts 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.