

How to Not Raise a Nazi (with Alfie Kohn).... #39
11 snips Feb 20, 2025
Alfie Kohn, a renowned author and parenting expert known for his critique of traditional parenting methods, discusses the dangers of prioritizing obedience in children. He connects historical events like the Nuremberg Trials and the Milgram experiment to parenting, illustrating how unquestioning compliance can undermine empathy and critical thinking. Kohn advocates for a shift towards punishment-free parenting that fosters emotional understanding, independence, and ethical decision-making, encouraging children to challenge authority and stand for justice.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Nuremberg Trials & "Just Following Orders"
- During the Nuremberg trials, Nazi officials defended their horrific actions by claiming they were "just following orders."
- Rudolf Hoess, Auschwitz commandant, exemplified this, claiming he merely executed Himmler's orders for the "final solution."
Eichmann's Trial
- Adolf Eichmann, a key Holocaust architect, offered the same defense as Hoess: "just following orders."
- His trial, like the Nuremberg trials, highlighted the unsettling influence of authority.
Milgram Experiment
- The Milgram experiment explored obedience to authority.
- Participants administered what they thought were fatal shocks simply because an authority figure told them to.