Why Do Ordinary People Do Terrible Things? Daniele Bolelli and Patrick Discuss
Mar 14, 2024
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Delve into the complexities of human behavior in history, exploring why ordinary people commit terrible acts. Discuss the moral implications of societal structures and the strategies individuals use to rationalize heinous actions. Explore the intersection of historical forces and personal choice, touching on clan rivalries in LBK culture and the complicated relationship with empire.
Individual choices under societal pressures shape actions in historical contexts.
Limited resources and pressures can drive extreme actions within cultural groups.
Practicing accountability and aligning actions with moral values foster integrity in decision-making.
Deep dives
Individual Choices Amid Historical Forces
Individuals making choices in historical contexts and amid societal pressures shapes their actions. Examining stories like Cortez's Spaniards illustrates how individuals from similar backgrounds may make different choices.
Impact of Circumstances on Individual Actions
Internal and external factors influence actions. Historical events, like the LBK conflict, demonstrate how pressure and limited resources can lead to extreme actions within similar cultural groups.
Building Personal Accountability
Practicing accountability in daily decisions strengthens one's ability to uphold values. Corrections and consistency in aligning actions with moral codes develop integrity and self-esteem, crucial for making ethical decisions in challenging situations.
Resistance to Dehumanization and Agency
Recognizing dehumanization tactics and asserting individual agency are key to resisting participation in atrocities. Stories where individuals reject societal norms highlight the power of personal choice in shaping moral behavior.
Balancing Historical Context with Individual Agency
Understanding historical forces alongside personal agency is essential for comprehending human actions throughout history. While external influences matter, individual choices remain pivotal in determining moral conduct.
History is littered with terrible deeds and atrocities: conquest, genocide, mass enslavement, forced displacement, crimes of all sorts. Why do people agree to participate in these actions? Daniele Bolelli, host of the History on Fire podcast, joins me to discuss the topic and an essay I wrote on my Substack page, which you can find here: https://patrickwyman.substack.com/p/ordinary-people-do-terrible-things
Patrick's book is now available! Get The Verge: Reformation, Renaissance, and Forty Years that Shook the World in hardcopy, ebook, or audiobook (read by Patrick) here: https://bit.ly/PWverge. And check out Patrick's new podcast The Pursuit of Dadliness! It’s all about “Dad Culture,” and Patrick will interview some fascinating guests about everything from tall wooden ships to smoked meats to comfortable sneakers to history, sports, culture, and politics. https://bit.ly/PWtPoD
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