- Hardcover: 576 pages
- Publisher: Rider & Co; 1st edition edition (15 Mar 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1844135772
- ISBN-13: 978-1844135776
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 16.4 x 5.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 278,584 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Brian Keenan, author of An Evil Cradling
"This book takes us where angels fear to tread, uncovering the
'Lucifer' that sits incubating in each individual and every human
institution...The professor's timely study screams out at us to be on the
alert, to be ever mindful and ever ready least we fall into this heart of
utter darkness."
'Lucifer' that sits incubating in each individual and every human
institution...The professor's timely study screams out at us to be on the
alert, to be ever mindful and ever ready least we fall into this heart of
utter darkness."
Vaclev Havel, former President of the Czech Republic
"Professor Zimbardo deserves heartfelt thanks for disclosing and
illuminating the dark, hidden corners of the human soul. His book does not
always make encouraging reading. Still, he confirms that getting to know
ourselves is a crucial challenge of human existence."
illuminating the dark, hidden corners of the human soul. His book does not
always make encouraging reading. Still, he confirms that getting to know
ourselves is a crucial challenge of human existence."
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Well worth reading for everybody who knows somebody else!
The bad: as other reviews state there is quite a bit of repetition, and on occasion it feels like Zimbardo discards disposition through the use of psychological inventories alone.
The good: highlights the evil that systems and situations can encourage whilst not belittling the responsibility of the individual. Provides the reader with practical steps to avoid being drawn into evil behaviour.
The key message for me was that I am thoroughly average and therefore capable of great evil given the right circumstances.
The book has the power to be transformative, I have caught myself in the process of dehumanising others, considering others as "them", and been given an opportunity to change my thinking. As a side effect of this I have been reminded of the way that we are prepared to dehumanise others by the media.
The bad: as other reviews state there is quite a bit of repetition, and on occasion it feels like Zimbardo discards disposition through the use of psychological inventories alone.
The good: highlights the evil that systems and situations can encourage whilst not belittling the responsibility of the individual. Provides the reader with practical steps to avoid being drawn into evil behaviour.
The key message for me was that I am thoroughly average and therefore capable of great evil given the right circumstances.
The book has the power to be transformative, I have caught myself in the process of dehumanising others, considering others as "them", and been given an opportunity to change my thinking. As a side effect of this I have been reminded of the way that we are prepared to dehumanise others by the media.
26 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a very interesting book on the nature and causes of evil behaviour.
Zimbardo's basic thesis is that situation plays a bigger part in determining evil or heroic behaviour than innate disposition. The starting poing is the Sanford prison experiment in which students were divided randomly into guards and prisoners for an jail simulation in the basement of the university's psychology department. They very quickly meld into their roles.
From there he ranges far and wide over african boy soldiers, nazi camp guards, the My Lai massacre, Abu Ghraib and experiments where participants are encouraged by authority figures to inflict pain.
Moral agency isn't denied but a different basis for how we act than personal disposition is suggested. Our personalities are seen as situational and conditional constructs.
My main criticism is that it really could do with some editing. Its long winded and repetitive in parts but the its well worth ploughing on.
Zimbardo's basic thesis is that situation plays a bigger part in determining evil or heroic behaviour than innate disposition. The starting poing is the Sanford prison experiment in which students were divided randomly into guards and prisoners for an jail simulation in the basement of the university's psychology department. They very quickly meld into their roles.
From there he ranges far and wide over african boy soldiers, nazi camp guards, the My Lai massacre, Abu Ghraib and experiments where participants are encouraged by authority figures to inflict pain.
Moral agency isn't denied but a different basis for how we act than personal disposition is suggested. Our personalities are seen as situational and conditional constructs.
My main criticism is that it really could do with some editing. Its long winded and repetitive in parts but the its well worth ploughing on.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
It isn't an easy book to read, but it is a rewarding one.
Professor Zimbardo tackles one of the most endlessly fascinating of our obsessions - and it's done with grace, seriousness and (forgive how this may read, but don't under-estimate its importance) perfect pitch.
The scholarship is profound, but worn lightly. The humanity is apparent and all-pervasive. It's a balanced, smart and powerful book. Highly recommended.
Professor Zimbardo tackles one of the most endlessly fascinating of our obsessions - and it's done with grace, seriousness and (forgive how this may read, but don't under-estimate its importance) perfect pitch.
The scholarship is profound, but worn lightly. The humanity is apparent and all-pervasive. It's a balanced, smart and powerful book. Highly recommended.
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